Colubridae
Cloud Forest Earth Snake
HarmlessGeophis nephodrymus
The Cloud Forest Earth Snake (Geophis nephodrymus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Cloud Forest Earth Snake
Geophis nephodrymus is a species of snake in the colubrid family. It is endemic to the Sierra de Omoa in northwest Honduras.
Description
The holotype is a female measuring 233 mm (9.2 in) in snout–vent length and 253 mm (10.0 in) in total length. Dorsal coloration is dark
brownish black, becoming paler laterally. Ventral coloration is cream to pale yellow, with brown smudges on lateral areas of the ventral scales. The subcaudal scales are dark gray.
Habitat and conservation
Geophis nephodrymus inhabits intact, closed-canopy cloud forest at elevations of 1,530–1,930 m (5,020–6,330 ft) above sea level. It is semifossorial and mostly nocturnal. Its habitat is threatened by deforestation caused by both timber extraction and agricultural expansion. It receives some protected from the Cusuco National Park.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cloud Forest Earth Snake
- Is the Cloud Forest Earth Snake venomous?
- No. The Cloud Forest Earth Snake (Geophis nephodrymus) 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 Cloud Forest Earth Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cloud Forest Earth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cloud Forest Earth Snake dangerous?
- The Cloud Forest Earth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cloud Forest Earth Snake live?
- The Cloud Forest Earth Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Terrestrial Snail SuckerGeophis sartorii
Hoffmann's Earth SnakeGeophis hoffmanni
Coral Earth SnakeGeophis semidoliatus
Gray Earth SnakeGeophis brachycephalus
Pygmy Snail SuckerGeophis sanniolus
Potosí Earth SnakeGeophis latifrontalis
Highland Earth SnakeGeophis mutitorques
Rosebelly Earth SnakeGeophis rhodogaster
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
- Geophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Geophis nephodrymus
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.