Colubridae
Hagmann's Keelback
HarmlessHelicops hagmanni
3 photographs of the Hagmann's Keelback. (c) Nelson Apolo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Hagmann's Keelback (Helicops hagmanni) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Hagmann's Keelback
Helicops hagmanni, also known commonly as Hagmann's keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the Amazon River basin in South America.
Etymology
The specific name, hagmanni, is in honor of Swiss-Brazilian zoologist Gottfried A. Hagmann.
Geographic range
H. hagmanni is found in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of H. hagmanni is freshwater wetlands in forest, at altitudes below 250 m (820 ft).
Description
H. hagmanni has 21–29 rows of dorsal scales at midbody. Its subcaudal scales are keeled, and number only 50–59. Its teeth are very long and are nonrecurved.
Behavior
H. hagmanni is aquatic.
Diet
H. hagmanni preys upon fishes.
Reproduction
H. hagmanni is ovoviviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Hagmann's Keelback
- Is the Hagmann's Keelback venomous?
- No. The Hagmann's Keelback (Helicops hagmanni) 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 Hagmann's Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hagmann's Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Hagmann's Keelback dangerous?
- The Hagmann's Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Hagmann's Keelback live?
- The Hagmann's Keelback has verified records in 4 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Hagmann's Keelback eat?
- H. hagmanni preys upon fishes.
- Why is it called the Hagmann's Keelback?
- The specific name, hagmanni, is in honor of Swiss-Brazilian zoologist Gottfried A. Hagmann.
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
- Helicops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Helicops hagmanni
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.