Colubridae
Guatemala Neckband Snake
HarmlessScaphiodontophis annulatus
6 photographs of the Guatemala Neckband Snake. © Sebastián de Jesús Herrera Buenfil.
The Guatemala Neckband Snake (Scaphiodontophis annulatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 9 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Guatemala Neckband Snake
Scaphiodontophis annulatus, commonly known as the Guatemala neckband snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are four recognized subspecies.
Taxonomy
The following four subspecies are recognized as being valid. The subspecific name, dugandi, is in honor of Colombian biologist Armando Dugand.
Scaphiodontophis annulatus annulatus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
Scaphiodontophis annulatus dugandi Roze, 1969
Scaphiodontophis annulatus hondurensis (Schmidt, 1936)
Scaphiodontophis annulatus nothus Taylor & H.M. Smith, 1943
Distribution and habitat
S. annulatus is found in Mexico, Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The preferred natural habitat of S. annulatus is forest at altitudes from sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).
Reproduction
S. annulatus is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Guatemala Neckband Snake
- Is the Guatemala Neckband Snake venomous?
- No. The Guatemala Neckband Snake (Scaphiodontophis annulatus) 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 Guatemala Neckband Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Guatemala Neckband Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Guatemala Neckband Snake dangerous?
- The Guatemala Neckband Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Guatemala Neckband Snake live?
- The Guatemala Neckband Snake has verified records in 9 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common Neckband SnakeScaphiodontophis venustissimus
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
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
- Scaphiodontophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Scaphiodontophis annulatus
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.