Colubridae
Cauca Fishing Snake
HarmlessSynophis plectovertebralis

The Cauca Fishing Snake (Synophis plectovertebralis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Cauca Fishing Snake
Synophis plectovertebralis, also known as the braided shadow snake, is a species of snake in the family, Colubridae. It is found in Colombia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cauca Fishing Snake
- Is the Cauca Fishing Snake venomous?
- No. The Cauca Fishing Snake (Synophis plectovertebralis) 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 Cauca Fishing Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cauca Fishing Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cauca Fishing Snake dangerous?
- The Cauca Fishing Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cauca Fishing Snake live?
- The Cauca Fishing Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Lasalle's Fishing SnakeSynophis lasallei
Nicéforo María's Shadow SnakeSynophis niceforomariae
Two-colored Fishing SnakeSynophis bicolor
Ecuadorian Fishing SnakeSynophis calamitus
Bogert's Shadow SnakeSynophis bogerti
Mountain Shadow SnakeSynophis insulomontanus
Zaher's Shadow SnakeSynophis zaheri
Zamoran Shadow SnakeSynophis zamora
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
- Synophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Synophis plectovertebralis
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.