Colubridae
Leopard Keelback
HarmlessHelicops leopardinus
3 photographs of the Leopard Keelback. © Joaquin Valentinuzzi.
The Leopard Keelback (Helicops leopardinus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 12 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Leopard Keelback
Helicops leopardinus, the leopard keelback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to South America, and can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Suriname.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Leopard Keelback
- Is the Leopard Keelback venomous?
- No. The Leopard Keelback (Helicops leopardinus) 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 Leopard Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Leopard Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Leopard Keelback dangerous?
- The Leopard Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Leopard Keelback live?
- The Leopard Keelback has verified records in 12 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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 leopardinus
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.