Colubridae
Jaeger's Ground Snake
HarmlessErythrolamprus jaegeri
6 photographs of the Jaeger's Ground Snake. © Milagros Valverde.
The Jaeger's Ground Snake (Erythrolamprus jaegeri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Jaeger's Ground Snake
Erythrolamprus jaegeri, commonly known as Jaeger's ground snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to South America. There are two recognized subspecies.
Etymology
The specific name, jaegeri, is in honor of German paleontologist Georg Friedrich Jäger.
Geographic range
E. jaegeri is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Habitat
E. jaegeri is found in a variety of habitats, including forest, shrubland, grassland, and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes from near sea level to 1,300 m (4,270 ft).
Classification
Erythrolamprus jaegeri belongs to the genus Erythrolamprus, which contains over 50 species. The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae. The relationships of Erythrolamprus species located in northern South America can be shown in the cladogram below, based on molecular DNA analysis:
Reproduction
E. jaegeri is oviparous.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Erythrolamprus jaegeri coralliventris (Boulenger, 1894)
Erythrolamprus jaegeri jaegeri (Günther, 1858)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Erythrolamprus.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Jaeger's Ground Snake
- Is the Jaeger's Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Jaeger's Ground Snake (Erythrolamprus jaegeri) 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 Jaeger's Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Jaeger's Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Jaeger's Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Jaeger's Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Jaeger's Ground Snake live?
- The Jaeger's Ground Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Jaeger's Ground Snake?
- The specific name, jaegeri, is in honor of German paleontologist Georg Friedrich Jäger.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Yellow-bellied LiophisErythrolamprus poecilogyrus
Military Ground SnakeErythrolamprus miliaris
Fire-bellied SnakeErythrolamprus epinephalus
Black-backed SnakeErythrolamprus melanotus
Aesculapian False Coral SnakeErythrolamprus aesculapii
Double-banded Coral Snake MimicErythrolamprus bizona
Royal Ground SnakeErythrolamprus reginae
Velvet SwampsnakeErythrolamprus typhlus
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
- Erythrolamprus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Erythrolamprus jaegeri
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.