Colubridae
Common Spotted Night Snake
HarmlessSiphlophis leucocephalus

The Common Spotted Night Snake (Siphlophis leucocephalus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Common Spotted Night Snake
Siphlophis leucocephalus, commonly known as the common spotted night snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil and known from Bahia, Goiás, and Minas Gerais states.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Common Spotted Night Snake
- Is the Common Spotted Night Snake venomous?
- No. The Common Spotted Night Snake (Siphlophis leucocephalus) 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 Common Spotted Night Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common Spotted Night Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Common Spotted Night Snake dangerous?
- The Common Spotted Night Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Common Spotted Night Snake live?
- The Common Spotted Night Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Tropical Flat SnakeSiphlophis compressus
Panama Spotted Night SnakeSiphlophis cervinus
Guanabara Spotted Night SnakeSiphlophis pulcher
Worontzow's Spotted Night SnakeSiphlophis worontzowi
Brazilian Spotted Night SnakeSiphlophis longicaudatus
Siphlophis ayaumaSiphlophis ayauma
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
- Siphlophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Siphlophis leucocephalus
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.