Military Ground Snake

Erythrolamprus miliaris is found in South America east of the Andes, from the Guyanas south to Paraguay. The former subspecies extending further south (southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina) is now recognized as a full species, Erythrolamprus semiaureus.

Erythrolamprus miliaris feeds on a wide range of prey items. They include primarily amphibians (including eggs and tadpoles), but also fish and even lizards and small rodents. Invertebrates have also been reported but may have been secondarily ingested. However, there is little information on its feeding habits. A study indicated that females with oviductal eggs did not feed, whereas those females with secondary vitellogenic follicles fed more often than did the non-reproductive ones.

The subspecific name, merremi is in honor of German herpetologist Blasius Merrem.

Liophis milaris intermedius, a taxonomic error. In 1991, Erythrolamprus miliaris intermedius was described by Henle and Ehrl. However, they made a mistake. It was later discovered by Dixon and Tipton, through various comparisons of morphometrics, that Erythrolamprus miliaris intermedius was actually Erythrolamprus reginae.