Trivia Question for the Day....

[Jerm]

How many ovoviviparous ("live bearing") species of reptiles are there that are native to the United States? (Must list)

We all know one from Laurie's post of her baby Phrynosoma platyrhinos (horny toads).

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The correct spelling is:

ovoviviporous



-Brad

 

[Jerm]

Thanks Brad. I spelled it right in Laurie's thread.

 

[AJA]

Snakes in WA are:
Rubber Boas
Garters
Western Rattlesnake...


.

 

[Jerm]

Any guesses? Estimates?

 

[jojackson]

How many ovoviparous ("live bearing") species of reptiles are there that are native to the United States? (Must list)

We all know one from Laurie's post of her baby Phrynosoma platyrhinos (horny toads).

"Viviparous " . Oviparous are egglayers! Much easier to remember that way, 'ova' means egg!

You might find this interesting Reading

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56398/1/MP154.pdf

 

[hallenhe]

"Viviparous " . Oviparous are egglayers! Much easier to remember that way, 'ova' means egg!

Actually, "ovoviviparous". Viviparous animals receive nutrient from the mother through a placenta; ovoviviparous have an egg involved during part of their development - and are nourished by the yolk, and not directly from the mother - but "hatch" prior to emergence from the mother's body.
Smart alack rant over

 

[jojackson]

Yes But its confusing.

 

[Jerm]

There actually are no true "live bearing" chameleons. When an animal is ovoviviparous it gives the appearance of live bearing but the female actually incubates the eggs internally instead of depositing them.

 

[Jerm]

So no one knows? I forgot to post my answer yesterday: Here is a list of 37 that I cam up with, feel free to add to it, I'm interested to know how many there actually are.

Thamnophis sirtalis
Thamnophis sauritus
Regina septemvittata
Nerodia sipedon
Lichanura trivirgata
Nerodia erythrogaster
Storeria occipitomaculata
Storeria dekayi
Sistrurus catenatus
Nerodia rhombifer
Regina grahamii
Thamnophis marcianus
Thamnophis proximus
Thamnophis radix
Tropidoclonion lineatum
Birginia valeriae
Thamnophis elegans
Agkistrodon mokasen
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Heloderma suspectum
Crotalus adamanteus
Crotalus atrox
Crotalus cerastes
Crotalus horridus
Crotalus lepidus
Crotalus mitchellii
Crotalus molossus
Crotalus oreganus
Crotalus pricei
Crotalus ruber
Crotalus scutulatus
Crotalus tigris
Crotalus viridis
Crotalus willardi
Sistrurus miliarius
Charina bottae
Phrynosoma platyrhinos

Here they are in common names:

Common Garter Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Queen Snake
Northern Water Snake
Rosy Boa
Plain Bellied Water Snake
Red Bellied Snake
DeKay's Brown Snake
Massasauga
Diamondback Water Snake
Graham's Crayfish Snake
Checkered Garter Snake
Western Ribbon Snake
Plains Garter Snake
Lined Snake
Smooth Earth Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Gila Monster
Eastern Diamonback Rattlesnake
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Sidewinder
Timber Rattlesnake
Rock Rattlesnake
Speckled Rattlesnake
Black Tailed Rattlesnake
Western rattlesnake
Twin-spotted Rattlesnake
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Mojave Rattlesnake
Tiger Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake
Pigmy Rattlesnake
Rubber Boa
Horny Toad

 

[hallenhe]

I keep meaning to check my big book o' lizards (Handbook of Lizards: Lizards of the United States and Canada) when I get home; maybe tonight I'll remember and see if there's anything I can add to the list.

 

[hallenhe]

Here's some more:
Xantusia arizonae
Xantusia henshawi
Xantusia riversiana
Xantusia vigilis
Sceloporus grammicus
Sceleporus poinsettii
Sceleporus cyanogenys

Common names:
Arizona night lizard
Granite night lizard
Island night lizard
Desert night lizard
Mesquite lizard
Red scaly lizard
Blue scaly lizard

 

[Jerm]

So were up to 44 so far.