Colubridae
Keeled Sepia Snake
HarmlessDryophylax hypoconia
3 photographs of the Keeled Sepia Snake. (c) Diogo Luiz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Diogo Luiz.
The Keeled Sepia Snake (Dryophylax hypoconia) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Keeled Sepia Snake
Dryophylax hypoconia is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Geographic range
D. hypoconia is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is distributed around several regions in Suuth America. In Brazil, it can be found in Rio Grande do Sul, Goias, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro. In Argentina, its range includes Formosa, Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires and Cordoba provinces.
The type locality of this species is Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Life cycle
The species is viviparous. Clutch sizes typically range from 4-16 embryos, and there is no significant relationship between clutches size and female's body size. Oviposition occurs from January to April.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Keeled Sepia Snake
- Is the Keeled Sepia Snake venomous?
- No. The Keeled Sepia Snake (Dryophylax hypoconia) 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 Keeled Sepia Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Keeled Sepia Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Keeled Sepia Snake dangerous?
- The Keeled Sepia Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Keeled Sepia Snake live?
- The Keeled Sepia Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Coastal Mock ViperDryophylax nattereri
Petrolina Mock ViperDryophylax phoenix
Gambote Mock ViperDryophylax gambotensis
Chaco Sepia SnakeDryophylax chaquensis
Paraguana Mock ViperDryophylax paraguanae
Jararaca Mock ViperDryophylax almae
Double-lined Water SnakeDryophylax ramonriveroi
Apure Mock ViperDryophylax dixoni
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
- Dryophylax
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dryophylax hypoconia
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.