Ratonel

Pseudoboa neuwiedii

''Pseudoboa neuwiedii'', commonly known as the ''ratonel'', is a species of snake endemic to northern South America.
Ratonel cannibal behavior, Uraba, Colombia 10 minutes after our guide pulled a Colombian rainbow boa out of the bushes at night, here's comes another snake. An observation we will not soon forget. This is a Ratonel, which is known to feed on any animal it can handle, including other snakes and animals larger than itself. The idea was to place it on the roadside for a few quick photos, and then place it back. What we could not foresee was that the Ratonel, probably from stress, puked out another snake. And that other snake, is another Ratonel. In this photo you see the underside of the eaten Ratonel, the other side side has the dark red just like the living Ratonel. So this looks like cannibalistic behavior. I've been searching around but haven't yet found information about this being known behavior, so this could be scientifically relevant. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58683/ratonel_cannibal_behavior_-_ii_uraba_colombia.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58682/ratonel_cannibal_behavior_-_closeup_uraba_colombia.html Antioquia,Colombia,Colombia Choco & Pacific region,Pseudoboa neuwiedii,South America,Uraba,Urabá,World,cannibalism

Appearance

''Pseudoboa neuwiedii'' grows to a maximum total length of 1 m .

Dorsally, it is reddish brown, either uniform or with some scattered small black spots. The top of the head and neck are black or dark brown. There may or may not be a yellowish crossband or collar across the temples and occiput. Ventrally, it is yellowish.
Ratonel at night - head closeup, Uraba, Colombia Pulled from the bushes at night, this Ratonel is known to eat any animal it can handle. Does it look to you like this snake has an entire snake inside of it in its current state? Check this: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58681/ratonel_cannibal_behavior_uraba_colombia.html Antioquia,Colombia,Colombia Choco & Pacific region,Pseudoboa neuwiedii,Ratonel,South America,Uraba,Urabá,World

Naming

The specific name, ''neuwiedii'', is in honor of German naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied.
Ratonel at night - partly digested snake, Uraba, Colombia 10 minutes after our guide pulled a Colombian rainbow boa out of the bushes at night, here's comes another snake. An observation we will not soon forget. This is a Ratonel, which is known to feed on any animal it can handle, including other snakes and animals larger than itself. The idea was to place it on the roadside for a few quick photos, and then place it back. What we could not foresee was that the Ratonel, probably from stress, puked out another snake. And that other snake, is another Ratonel. In this photo you see the underside of the eaten Ratonel, the other side side has the dark red just like the living Ratonel. So this looks like cannibalistic behavior. I've been searching around but haven't yet found information about this being known behavior, so this could be scientifically relevant. Antioquia,Colombia,Colombia Choco & Pacific region,Pseudoboa neuwiedii,Ratonel,South America,Uraba,Urabá,World

Behavior

''Pseudoboa neuwiedii'' is a powerful constrictor.
Ratonel cannibal behavior - closeup, Uraba, Colombia 10 minutes after our guide pulled a Colombian rainbow boa out of the bushes at night, here's comes another snake. An observation we will not soon forget. This is a Ratonel, which is known to feed on any animal it can handle, including other snakes and animals larger than itself. The idea was to place it on the roadside for a few quick photos, and then place it back. What we could not foresee was that the Ratonel, probably from stress, puked out another snake. And that other snake, is another Ratonel. In this photo you see the underside of the eaten Ratonel, the other side side has the dark red just like the living Ratonel. So this looks like cannibalistic behavior. I've been searching around but haven't yet found information about this being known behavior, so this could be scientifically relevant. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58681/ratonel_cannibal_behavior_uraba_colombia.html Antioquia,Colombia,Colombia Choco & Pacific region,Pseudoboa neuwiedii,Ratonel,South America,Uraba,Urabá,World

Food

''Pseudoboa neuwiedii'' feeds on any animal it can capture and subdue. Individuals have been reported to consume snakes as large as or larger than they themselves are.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae
GenusPseudoboa
SpeciesP. neuwiedii
Photographed in
Colombia