Colubridae
Catesby's Pointed Snake
HarmlessUromacer catesbyi
6 photographs of the Catesby's Pointed Snake. © Luis Carlos12.
The Catesby's Pointed Snake (Uromacer catesbyi) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Catesby's Pointed Snake
Uromacer catesbyi, also known commonly as the blunt-headed Hispaniolan vine snake and Catesby's pointed snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.
Etymology
The specific name, catesbyi, is in honor of English naturalist Mark Catesby.
Geographic range
U. catesbyi is native to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Habitat
Although the preferred natural habitat of U. catesbyi is forest at altitudes from sea level to 1,300 m (4,270 ft), it is also often found in disturbed areas.
Behavior
U. catesbyi is an arboreal species.
Diet
U. catesbyi preys upon frogs (such as Osteopilus), lizards (such as Anolis), and birds (such as Coereba flaveola).
Reproduction
U. catesbyi is oviparous.
Subspecies
Including the nominotypical subspecies, eight subspecies are recognized as being valid.
Uromacer catesbyi catesbyi (Schlegel, 1837)
Uromacer catesbyi cereolineatus Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi frondicolor Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi hariolatus Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi inchausteguii Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi insulaevaccarum Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi pampineus Schwartz, 1970
Uromacer catesbyi scandax Dunn, 1920
Nota bene: A binomial authority or trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Uromacer.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Catesby's Pointed Snake
- Is the Catesby's Pointed Snake venomous?
- No. The Catesby's Pointed Snake (Uromacer catesbyi) 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 Catesby's Pointed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Catesby's Pointed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Catesby's Pointed Snake dangerous?
- The Catesby's Pointed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Catesby's Pointed Snake live?
- The Catesby's Pointed Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Dominican Republic, Haiti, Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Catesby's Pointed Snake eat?
- U. catesbyi preys upon frogs (such as Osteopilus), lizards (such as Anolis), and birds (such as Coereba flaveola).
- Why is it called the Catesby's Pointed Snake?
- The specific name, catesbyi, is in honor of English naturalist Mark Catesby.
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
- Uromacer
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Uromacer catesbyi
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.