Colubridae
Gaige's Pine Forest Snake
HarmlessRhadinaea gaigeae
The Gaige's Pine Forest Snake (Rhadinaea gaigeae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Gaige's Pine Forest Snake
Rhadinaea gaigeae, also known commonly as Gaige's pine forest snake and la hojarasquera de Gaige in Mexican Spanish, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.
Etymology
The specific name, gaigeae, is in honor of American herpetologist Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige.
Geographic range
R. gaigeae is found in the Mexican states of Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of R. gaigeae is forest, at altitudes of 200–2,680 m (660–8,790 ft).
Reproduction
R. gaigei is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Gaige's Pine Forest Snake
- Is the Gaige's Pine Forest Snake venomous?
- No. The Gaige's Pine Forest Snake (Rhadinaea gaigeae) 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 Gaige's Pine Forest Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gaige's Pine Forest Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Gaige's Pine Forest Snake dangerous?
- The Gaige's Pine Forest Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Gaige's Pine Forest Snake live?
- The Gaige's Pine Forest Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Gaige's Pine Forest Snake?
- The specific name, gaigeae, is in honor of American herpetologist Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Pine Woods LittersnakeRhadinaea flavilata
Adorned Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea decorata
Pine-Oak SnakeRhadinaea taeniata
Western Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea hesperia
Crowned Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea laureata
Nuevo Leon Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea montana
Thick Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea calligaster
Myers' Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea myersi
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
- Rhadinaea
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhadinaea gaigeae
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.