Colubridae
Black-banded Snake
HarmlessScolecophis atrocinctus
6 photographs of the Black-banded Snake. © Criss Acuña.
The Black-banded Snake (Scolecophis atrocinctus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black-banded Snake
Scolecophis is a genus of snake in the family Colubridae that contains the sole species Scolecophis atrocinctus. Its genus name is derived from Greek: skolex meaning a worm or grub and ophis meaning snake, referring to what it likes to eat. Its species name is derived from Latin ater meaning black and cingula meaning girdle referring to its physical appearance. It is commonly known as the black-banded snake.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black-banded Snake
- Is the Black-banded Snake venomous?
- No. The Black-banded Snake (Scolecophis atrocinctus) 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 Black-banded Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-banded Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black-banded Snake dangerous?
- The Black-banded Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black-banded Snake live?
- The Black-banded Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Scolecophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Scolecophis atrocinctus
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.