Colubridae
Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake
HarmlessTrimetopon barbouri
3 photographs of the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake. (c) Jeisson Figueroa Sandi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake (Trimetopon barbouri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake
Barbour's tropical ground snake (Trimetopon barbouri), also known commonly as Barbour's pygmy snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Panama.
Etymology
The specific name, barbouri, is in honor of American herpetologist Thomas Barbour.
Geographic range
T. barbouri is endemic to the western region of Panama, and occasionally is found on Barro Colorado Island.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of T. barbouri is forest, at altitudes of 20–800 m (66–2,625 ft).
Description
T. barbouri has two normal prefrontals, unlike other species of its genus which have the prefrontals fused. The holotype, a male, measures 26 cm (10 in) in total length, which includes a tail 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long.
Reproduction
T. barbouri is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake
- Is the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake (Trimetopon barbouri) 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 Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake live?
- The Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Barbour's Tropical Ground Snake?
- The specific name, barbouri, is in honor of American herpetologist Thomas Barbour.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Cope's Tropical Ground SnakeTrimetopon pliolepis
Slevin's Tropical Ground SnakeTrimetopon slevini
Günther's Tropical Ground SnakeTrimetopon gracile
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
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
- Trimetopon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Trimetopon barbouri
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.