Genus · Colubridae
Types of puffing snakes
2 species make up the genus Phrynonax, the snakes commonly called puffing snakes. None are considered dangerous to humans.
About puffing snakes
Large, slender New World tree snakes that inflate their throats and puff up dramatically when threatened.
Phrynonax is a small genus of nonvenomous colubrid snakes in the family Colubridae, the largest and most varied snake family on Earth. The genus is best known for the Puffing Snake (Phrynonax poecilonotus), a long, lean species of Central and South American forests, alongside a handful of close relatives such as Shropshire's Puffing Snake (Phrynonax shropshirei). The database here holds two species, which reflects how compact this group is compared with the sprawling colubrid family around it.
These are diurnal, often semi-arboreal snakes of tropical and subtropical lowland forest, forest edge, and humid wooded country, where they move through leaf litter, low vegetation, and the lower branches in search of prey. In general terms they are recognized as fairly large, narrow-bodied snakes with large eyes, smooth to weakly keeled scales, and variable brown, olive, or patterned coloration. The common name comes from their defensive display: a cornered puffing snake inflates its neck and forebody with air, gapes, and may strike vigorously, which makes a harmless animal look far more menacing than it is. They feed largely on birds and their eggs along with small mammals and lizards, and like nearly all colubrids in this lineage they reproduce by laying eggs.
Phrynonax snakes are not front-fanged vipers or elapids and are considered nonvenomous and not dangerous to people, posing no medically significant venom threat. That said, no wild snake should be handled. A defensive puffing snake can deliver a forceful bite, and correctly identifying a snake in the field is not always reliable, so the right move is to leave it alone and give it room. If anyone is bitten by a snake they cannot confidently identify, or there are concerning symptoms, treat it as a medical matter and seek care: contact US Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your local emergency services.
Phrynonax belongs to the Colubridae family (Colubrids). The largest snake family, and the one most snakes you meet belong to. Typically round pupils, a head only slightly wider than the neck, and no heat-sensing facial pit or rattle. Scales may be smooth and glossy or keeled and matte depending on the species.
Danger: Almost all colubrids are harmless. A small number are rear-fanged with medically significant venom, the boomslang and the twig (vine) snakes of Africa being the dangerous exceptions. Most colubrids will flee or bluff rather than bite.
All species (2)
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