Colubridae
Black-skinned Parrot Snake
HarmlessLeptophis nigromarginatus
2 photographs of the Black-skinned Parrot Snake. (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo.
The Black-skinned Parrot Snake (Leptophis nigromarginatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black-skinned Parrot Snake
Leptophis nigromarginatus, commonly known as the black-skinned parrot snake, is a snake of the family Colubridae.
Geographic range
It is found in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.
Description
L. nigromarginatus is a bright green, slender, medium-sized, snake. Adults are typically 60–100 cm (23.5–39.5 in) in total length. Black edges around the outer margin of each scale form a distinctive net-like pattern on the dorsal surface of the animal. The ventral surface has a metallic sheen, and may be green or rust-colored.
Habitat
It is arboreal, living in dense brushy vegetation. It is found in secondary and primary forest.
Behavior
Active during the daytime, it sleeps in vegetation at night.
Diet
It feeds on lizards, frogs, and small birds.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black-skinned Parrot Snake
- Is the Black-skinned Parrot Snake venomous?
- No. The Black-skinned Parrot Snake (Leptophis nigromarginatus) 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-skinned Parrot Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-skinned Parrot Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black-skinned Parrot Snake dangerous?
- The Black-skinned Parrot Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- What does the Black-skinned Parrot Snake eat?
- It feeds on lizards, frogs, and small birds.
More Colubridae snakes
Mexican Parrot SnakeLeptophis mexicanus
Western Parrot-SnakeLeptophis occidentalis
Pacific Coast Parrot SnakeLeptophis diplotropis
Giant Parrot SnakeLeptophis ahaetulla
Cope's Parrot SnakeLeptophis depressirostris
Leptophis praestansLeptophis praestans
Southern Green Parrot SnakeLeptophis marginatus
Oliver's Parrot SnakeLeptophis coeruleodorsus
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
- Leptophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Leptophis nigromarginatus
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.