Colubridae
Green Sipo
HarmlessChironius exoletus



3 photographs of the Green Sipo. © Silvia Ten.
The Green Sipo (Chironius exoletus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 14 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Green Sipo
Chironius exoletus is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is commonly known as Linnaeus's sipo.
Geographic range
The snake is found in South America and Central America.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Green Sipo
- Is the Green Sipo venomous?
- No. The Green Sipo (Chironius exoletus) 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 Green Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Green Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Green Sipo dangerous?
- The Green Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Green Sipo live?
- The Green Sipo has verified records in 14 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Chironius
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Chironius exoletus
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.







