Ecuadorian Fishing Snake

About the Ecuadorian Fishing Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Ecuadorian Fishing Snake

Is the Ecuadorian Fishing Snake venomous?

No. The Ecuadorian Fishing Snake (Synophis calamitus) 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 Ecuadorian Fishing Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ecuadorian Fishing Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Ecuadorian Fishing Snake dangerous?

The Ecuadorian Fishing Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Ecuadorian Fishing Snake live?

The Ecuadorian Fishing Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Lasalle's Fishing Snake
  Synophis lasallei
• 
  Nicéforo María's Shadow Snake
  Synophis niceforomariae
• 
  Two-colored Fishing Snake
  Synophis bicolor
• 
  Bogert's Shadow Snake
  Synophis bogerti
• 
  Cauca Fishing Snake
  Synophis plectovertebralis
• 
  Mountain Shadow Snake
  Synophis insulomontanus
• 
  Zaher's Shadow Snake
  Synophis zaheri
• 
  Zamoran Shadow Snake
  Synophis 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 calamitus

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.