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Colubridae

Gambote Mock Viper

Harmless

Dryophylax gambotensis

Gambote Mock Viper
Dryophylax gambotensis, (c) Hector Mora, some rights reserved (CC BY)

The Gambote Mock Viper (Dryophylax gambotensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.

Family
Colubridae

About the Gambote Mock Viper

Dryophylax gambotensis is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Colombia.

Etymology

The species is named after its type locality Gambote, Bolivar, Colombia.

It is also called Thermodynastes gambotensis

Description

D. gambotensis contains 19 dorsal rows of smooth, weakly keeled scales and a single scale pit. It features a stout, spinous hemipenis. The maxillary teeth configuration is 12-14+2G, with 13+2G being the most common. Its chin is heavily pigmented, and larger scales may show contrasting pale centres. There is a presence of 7 supralabials.

Habitat and Behavior

This species is native to Gambote, in Bolivar region in Colombia.

Life cycle

It has a viviparous mode of reproduction.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Gambote Mock Viper

Is the Gambote Mock Viper venomous?
No. The Gambote Mock Viper (Dryophylax gambotensis) 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 Gambote Mock Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gambote Mock Viper is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Gambote Mock Viper dangerous?
The Gambote Mock Viper is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Why is it called the Gambote Mock Viper?
The species is named after its type locality Gambote, Bolivar, Colombia. It is also called Thermodynastes gambotensis

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
Dryophylax
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Dryophylax gambotensis

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.