Colubridae
Chaco Sepia Snake
HarmlessDryophylax chaquensis

The Chaco Sepia Snake (Dryophylax chaquensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Chaco Sepia Snake
Dryophylax chaquensis, commonly known as Jararaca-Falsa (Portuguese), is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Etymology
It is named after the type locality in the Argentinian Chaco. Another name for it is Thermodynastes chaquensis.
Habitat and Behavior
This species is partly aboreal. This species is found in Paraguay (Neembucu), Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina (Santa Fe, Formosa, Chaco, Jujuy).
Life cycle
D. chaquensis has a vivparous mode of reproduction.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Chaco Sepia Snake
- Is the Chaco Sepia Snake venomous?
- No. The Chaco Sepia Snake (Dryophylax chaquensis) 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 Chaco Sepia Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Chaco Sepia Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Chaco Sepia Snake dangerous?
- The Chaco Sepia Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Why is it called the Chaco Sepia Snake?
- It is named after the type locality in the Argentinian Chaco. Another name for it is Thermodynastes chaquensis.
More Colubridae snakes
Keeled Sepia SnakeDryophylax hypoconia
Coastal Mock ViperDryophylax nattereri
Petrolina Mock ViperDryophylax phoenix
Gambote Mock ViperDryophylax gambotensis- Paraguana Mock ViperDryophylax paraguanae
Jararaca Mock ViperDryophylax almae
Double-lined Water SnakeDryophylax ramonriveroi
Apure Mock ViperDryophylax dixoni
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
- Dryophylax
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dryophylax chaquensis
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.