Is the Brown Vinesnake venomous?

The Brown Vinesnake (Oxybelis aeneus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Brown Vinesnake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown Vinesnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Brown Vinesnake dangerous?

The Brown Vinesnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Brown Vinesnake live?

The Brown Vinesnake has verified records in 24 countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Brown Vinesnake

Harmless

Oxybelis aeneus

Brown Vinesnake — Oxybelis aeneus, © Rafael Duarte

5 photographs of the Brown Vinesnake. © Rafael Duarte.

The Brown Vinesnake (Oxybelis aeneus) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 24 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Brown Vinesnake

Oxybelis aeneus, commonly known as the Mexican vine snake or brown vine snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to the Americas.

Geographic range and habitat

Oxybelis aeneus is found through southern Mexico, to northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. There is no loreal scale, and there are 8–10 upper labials.

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.

Ventrals 173–205; subcaudals 150–188, divided (paired). The anal plate is divided in Arizona specimens, but is entire in South American specimens.

Common names

In Arizona O. aeneus is also called "pike-headed tree snake". In Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, it is known as a "horse whip" or "vine snake".

Behavior

Mostly arboreal and diurnal, O. aeneus is quite often mistaken for a vine. When threatened, it sometimes releases foul smelling secretions from its vent.

Diet

Oxybelis aeneus feeds mainly on lizards (mostly anoles), but also eats frogs, small rodents and birds.

Venom

Oxybelis aeneus is a mildly venomous rear-fanged snake, but it is not considered dangerous to humans.

Reproduction

Oxybelis aeneus is oviparous. Clutch sizes of 3–6 have been published. In Arizona, hatching occurs in September.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Brown Vinesnake

Is the Brown Vinesnake venomous?: The Brown Vinesnake (Oxybelis aeneus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
Is the Brown Vinesnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown Vinesnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Brown Vinesnake dangerous?: The Brown Vinesnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Brown Vinesnake live?: The Brown Vinesnake has verified records in 24 countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Brown Vinesnake eat?: Oxybelis aeneus feeds mainly on lizards (mostly anoles), but also eats frogs, small rodents and birds.
Why is it called the Brown Vinesnake?: In Arizona O. aeneus is also called "pike-headed tree snake". In Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, it is known as a "horse whip" or "vine snake".

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: Oxybelis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Oxybelis aeneus

Keep learning

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