If numbers of specimens are indicative of abundance, this is the most common snake in southern El Petén. All were found at night in the rainy season. At a pond in the forest at Toocog these snakes were observed on low vegetation, on the ground, and in the water. Evidently they congregate at breeding choruses of frogs. One Leptodeira contained a Smilisca baudini and another contained eggs of Phyllomedusa callidryas taylori. The natives call this snake nahuyaca.
Leptophis ahaetulla praestans (Cope)
13 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.
Both specimens were obtained from trees when they were felled. One individual (KU 55716) has a body length of 1345 mm. and a total length of 2035 mm. In life the entire snake was uniform bright green; the eye was yellow. In preservative the dorsum is dark blue, and the venter is green.
Leptophis mexicanus mexicanus Duméril, Bibron and Duméril
Chinajá, 1; 15 km. NW of Chinajá, 1; Sayaxché, 4.
All specimens came from low trees in the forest. The largest specimen is a male having a body length of 724 mm. and a total length of 1236 mm. In life the middorsum was a golden tan; the top of the head was a vivid green. One individual had ingested a Smilisca baudini. The local name is bejuquillo.
Ninia sebae sebae (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril)
Toocog, 1.