Colubridae
Godman's Earth Snake
HarmlessGeophis godmani
3 photographs of the Godman's Earth Snake. (c) Emmanuel Rodríguez Rojas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Godman's Earth Snake (Geophis godmani) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Godman's Earth Snake
Geophis godmani, also known commonly as Godman's earth snake, the yellow-bellied earth snake, and la culebra minadora de Godman in American Spanish, is a species of snake in the Family Colubridae. The species is native to Central America.
Etymology
The specific name, godmani, is in honor of British naturalist Frederick DuCane Godman.
Geographic range
G. godmani is found in Costa Rica and Panama.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of G. godmani is forest, at altitudes of 1,100–2,100 m (3,600–6,900 ft), but is also found in forest clearings used as pasture.
Description
G. godmani is brownish black dorsally, and yellow ventrally. It may attain a total length of 40 cm (16 in), which includes a tail 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long. Its dorsal scales are completely smooth, and they are arranged in 15 rows at midbody.
Behavior
G. godmani is terrestrial and secretive, hiding under rocks and logs.
Reproduction
G. godmani is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Godman's Earth Snake
- Is the Godman's Earth Snake venomous?
- No. The Godman's Earth Snake (Geophis godmani) 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 Godman's Earth Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Godman's Earth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Godman's Earth Snake dangerous?
- The Godman's Earth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Godman's Earth Snake live?
- The Godman's Earth Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Costa Rica, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Godman's Earth Snake?
- The specific name, godmani, is in honor of British naturalist Frederick DuCane Godman.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Terrestrial Snail SuckerGeophis sartorii
Hoffmann's Earth SnakeGeophis hoffmanni
Coral Earth SnakeGeophis semidoliatus
Gray Earth SnakeGeophis brachycephalus
Pygmy Snail SuckerGeophis sanniolus
Potosí Earth SnakeGeophis latifrontalis
Highland Earth SnakeGeophis mutitorques
Rosebelly Earth SnakeGeophis rhodogaster
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
- Geophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Geophis godmani
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.