Arrhyton tanyplectum, Guaniguanico Racerlet
Small, slender, speedy, and quite secretive describes the appearance and habits of all members of this grouping. All, like the much larger Cuban Racer, Cubophis cantherigerus, are rear-fanged members of the family Dipsadidae. Those pictured here are of the genera Arrhyton, the Racerlets, and Caraiba, the Lesser Racer.. All are usually reluctant to bite, and of no danger to humans.

I make no attempt to identify or differentiate Arrhyton taxa herein, but merely mention some often overlapping generalities as to colors and patterns.

Dorsally and laterally, snakes of the genus Arrhyton are clad in shades of brown. The hues may varying from near-black to a light bronze or silvery-gray. The belly is yellowish. Depending on species, as well as on individual variations, vertebral and lateral stripes may be strongly present or absent. One species has a prominent whitish collar, another has a yellowish collar broken dorsally, and many have black or brown crowns.

The Cuban Lesser Racer, Caraiba andreae, on the other hand is a small but variably marked black and white snake (black above, white below) with a prominent light stripe from nose, to above each eye, and continuing to the back of the head. The labials (lip scales) are also white to cream. The result of these light stripes, of course, leaves a prominent dark stripe through each eye.

And now to the pix.

An adult male D. delasagra
In Cuba, the family Diploglossidae is represented by 3 species of secretive, fossorial, forest dwelling lizards of the genus Diploglossus, that look overall, very much like skinks. In fact, with their polished scales and narrow head, they were at one time classified as skinks. This species is known to hybridize with at least one, and possibly with both, other species in the genus at the eastern end of its large range.

Luckily, we found 1 species, D. delasagra. It, a small, shiny, and short, legged species, will writhe quickly beneath leaf litter if exposed. It also seeks shelter beneath rocks and fallen tree trunks and limbs.

It is adult at a length of about 9 inches, of which a bit more than half is tail length.

Dorsal color is a warm brown, the sides vary from chocolate brown to black. The belly is yellowish. Oviparous, one female found recently was coiled around 5 soft-shelled eggs. Hatchlings are colored like the adults.