Colubridae
Hudson's Coffee Snake
HarmlessNinia hudsoni
3 photographs of the Hudson's Coffee Snake. © Sebastian Doak.
The Hudson's Coffee Snake (Ninia hudsoni) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Hudson's Coffee Snake
Ninia hudsoni, also known commonly as the Guyana coffee snake and Hudson's coffee snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Etymology
The specific name, hudsoni, is in honor of Mr. C.A. Hudson who collected the holotype of this species, as well as many entomological specimens, for the British Museum (Natural History).
Geographic range
N. hudsoni is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of N. hudsoni is forest, at altitudes of 200–1,300 m (660–4,270 ft).
Description
A small snake species, N. hudsoni may attain a total length (including tail) of about 42 cm (17 in).
Behavior
N. hudsoni is terrestrial, living in the leaf litter of the forest.
Reproduction
N. hudsoni is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Hudson's Coffee Snake
- Is the Hudson's Coffee Snake venomous?
- No. The Hudson's Coffee Snake (Ninia hudsoni) 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 Hudson's Coffee Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hudson's Coffee Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Hudson's Coffee Snake dangerous?
- The Hudson'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 Hudson's Coffee Snake live?
- The Hudson's Coffee Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Peru. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Hudson's Coffee Snake?
- The specific name, hudsoni, is in honor of Mr. C.A. Hudson who collected the holotype of this species, as well as many entomological specimens, for the British Museum (Natural History).
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 hudsoni
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.