Colubridae
Black Halloween Snake
HarmlessPliocercus euryzonus
6 photographs of the Black Halloween Snake. © Cricket Raspet.
The Black Halloween Snake (Pliocercus euryzonus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 12 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black Halloween Snake
Pliocercus euryzonus, commonly known as Cope's false coral snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to southeastern Central America and northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.
Geographic range
P. euryzonus is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The Reptile Database also lists Guatemala and Peru.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of P. euryzonus is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 1,460 m (4,790 ft).
Reproduction
P. euryzonus is oviparous.
Subspecies
Including the nominotypical subspecies, two subspecies are recognized as being valid.
Pliocercus euryzonus burghardti H.M. Smith & Chiszar, 1996
Pliocercus euryzonus euryzonus Cope, 1862
Etymology
The subspecific name, burghardti, is in honor of herpetologist Gordon M. Burghardt.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black Halloween Snake
- Is the Black Halloween Snake venomous?
- No. The Black Halloween Snake (Pliocercus euryzonus) 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 Halloween Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Halloween Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black Halloween Snake dangerous?
- The Black Halloween Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black Halloween Snake live?
- The Black Halloween Snake has verified records in 12 countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Black Halloween Snake?
- The subspecific name, burghardti, is in honor of herpetologist Gordon M. Burghardt.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Variegated False Coral SnakePliocercus elapoides
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
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
- Pliocercus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Pliocercus euryzonus
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.