Lyresnake
Central American Lyresnake
HarmlessTrimorphodon quadruplex
6 photographs of the Central American Lyresnake. © Chloe Evans.
The Central American Lyresnake (Trimorphodon quadruplex) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Also called
- Lyresnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Slender, 2–3.5 ft.
- Habitat
- Rocky desert slopes and canyons.
- Behavior
- Nocturnal, cat-eyed lizard hunters; rear-fanged but harmless to humans.
- Identify
- Slender with a lyre-shaped mark on the head and vertical pupils.
About the Central American Lyresnake
Trimorphodon quadruplex, the Central American lyre snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
The snake is found in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador. and Costa Rica.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Central American Lyresnake
- Is the Central American Lyresnake venomous?
- The Central American Lyresnake (Trimorphodon quadruplex) 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 Central American Lyresnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Central American Lyresnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Central American Lyresnake dangerous?
- The Central American Lyresnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Central American Lyresnake live?
- The Central American Lyresnake has verified records in 5 countries, including Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Central American Lyresnake?
- Slender with a lyre-shaped mark on the head and vertical pupils.
- How big does the Central American Lyresnake get?
- Slender, 2–3.5 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Sonoran Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon lambda
Mexican Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon tau
California LyresnakeTrimorphodon lyrophanes
Sinaloan LyresnakeTrimorphodon paucimaculatus
Western Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon biscutatus
Texas Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon vilkinsonii
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
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
- Trimorphodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Trimorphodon quadruplex
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.