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Colubridae

Apure Mock Viper

Harmless

Dryophylax dixoni

Apure Mock Viper
Dryophylax dixoni, (c) InverBosques, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Apure Mock ViperApure Mock Viper

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

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

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.