Colubridae
Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater
HarmlessDipsas gaigeae
3 photographs of the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater. (c) Barry Sullender, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater (Dipsas gaigeae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater
Dipsas gaigeae, also known commonly as Gaige's thirst snail-eater, Gaige's thirst snake, and zicatlinán in Mexican Spanish, is a species of non-venomous snake in 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
D. gaigeae is found in western Mexico, in the states of Colima, Guerrero, and Jalisco.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of D. gaigeae, is forest.
Behavior
D. gaigeae is fully arboreal.
Reproduction
D. gaigeae is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater
- Is the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater venomous?
- No. The Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater (Dipsas 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 Thirst Snail-eater poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater dangerous?
- The Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater live?
- The Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Gaige's Thirst Snail-eater?
- The specific name, gaigeae, is in honor of American herpetologist Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
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
- Dipsas
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dipsas 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.