Colubridae
Amazon Puffing Snake
HarmlessSpilotes sulphureus
6 photographs of the Amazon Puffing Snake. © Ayachui Ayump.
The Amazon Puffing Snake (Spilotes sulphureus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 14 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Amazon Puffing Snake
Spilotes sulphureus, commonly known as the yellow-bellied hissing snake or Amazon puffing snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is widely distributed throughout South America, as well as the Caribbean island of Trinidad.
Taxonomy
Originally placed in the genus Pseustes, it is now considered in the genus Spilotes.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
S. s. sulphureus (Wagler, 1824)
S. s. dieperinkii (Schlegel, 1837)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was original described in a genus other than Spilotes.
Description
S. sulphureus is a large snake, which can grow up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in total length (including tail). Its venom is bimodal and can directly affect both mammal and reptile prey.
Diet
Adults of S. sulphureus feed on small mammals, birds and other snakes (both venomous and
non-venomous), while juveniles feed on lizards, mice and rats.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Amazon Puffing Snake
- Is the Amazon Puffing Snake venomous?
- No. The Amazon Puffing Snake (Spilotes sulphureus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Amazon Puffing Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Amazon Puffing Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Amazon Puffing Snake dangerous?
- The Amazon Puffing Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Amazon Puffing Snake live?
- The Amazon Puffing Snake has verified records in 14 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Amazon Puffing Snake eat?
- Adults of S. sulphureus feed on small mammals, birds and other snakes (both venomous and non-venomous), while juveniles feed on lizards, mice and rats.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Spilotes
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Spilotes sulphureus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.