Colubridae
Apure Mock Viper
HarmlessDryophylax dixoni



3 photographs of the Apure Mock Viper. (c) InverBosques, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Apure Mock Viper (Dryophylax dixoni) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Apure Mock Viper
Dryophylax dixoni is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Venezuela and Colombia.
Etymology
D. dixoni is named after American heptologist, James R. Dixon. It is also called Thamnodynastes dixoni.
Description
This species is characterized as a snake with a typical pattern with smooth, weakly keeled scales arranged in 19-19-15 configuration. It has a divided cloacal plate and chin stripes. Males have 120-160 ventrical scales, while females have 141–150. There are 12-15 maxillary teeth present with 2 enlarged teeth. Most individuals have 12-15+2G teeth organization. Its hemipenis is very slender and spineless.
Habitat
D. dixoni is found in Venezuela (Apure) and Southeastern Colombia. Its type locality is Hato La Guanota, 4 km (2.5 mi) west of San Fernando in Apure state.
Life cycle
It features an ovoviviparous reproductive cycle.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Apure Mock Viper
- Is the Apure Mock Viper venomous?
- No. The Apure Mock Viper (Dryophylax dixoni) 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 Apure Mock Viper poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Apure Mock Viper is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Apure Mock Viper dangerous?
- The Apure Mock Viper is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Why is it called the Apure Mock Viper?
- D. dixoni is named after American heptologist, James R. Dixon. It is also called Thamnodynastes dixoni.
More Colubridae snakes
Keeled Sepia SnakeDryophylax hypoconia
Coastal Mock ViperDryophylax nattereri
Petrolina Mock ViperDryophylax phoenix
Gambote Mock ViperDryophylax gambotensis
Chaco Sepia SnakeDryophylax chaquensis- Paraguana Mock ViperDryophylax paraguanae
Jararaca Mock ViperDryophylax almae
Double-lined Water SnakeDryophylax ramonriveroi
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
- Dryophylax
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dryophylax dixoni
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.