Colubridae
Hallowell's Coffee Snake
HarmlessNinia atrata
6 photographs of the Hallowell's Coffee Snake. © Stephanie Tran.
The Hallowell's Coffee Snake (Ninia atrata) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 14 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Hallowell's Coffee Snake
Ninia atrata, known commonly as Hallowell's coffee snake, Hallowell's earth snake, the red-nape snake, and the South American coffee snake, is a species of small terrestrial snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Central America and northern South America.
Geographic range
N. atrata is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of N. atrata are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 1,000 m (3,280 ft).
Diet
N. atrata is believed to feed on insect larvae, termites and slugs.
Reproduction
N. atrata is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Hallowell's Coffee Snake
- Is the Hallowell's Coffee Snake venomous?
- No. The Hallowell's Coffee Snake (Ninia atrata) 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 Hallowell's Coffee Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hallowell's Coffee Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Hallowell's Coffee Snake dangerous?
- The Hallowell's Coffee Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Hallowell's Coffee Snake live?
- The Hallowell's Coffee Snake has verified records in 14 countries, including Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Hallowell's Coffee Snake eat?
- N. atrata is believed to feed on insect larvae, termites and slugs.
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
- Ninia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Ninia atrata
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.