Colubridae
Modest Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus modestus
4 photographs of the Modest Ground Snake. © Julius Thelen.
The Modest Ground Snake (Atractus modestus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Modest Ground Snake
Atractus modestus is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. In English the species goes by the common name modest ground snake while in Spanish it goes by tierrera modesta or culebra tierrera modesta.
Males can grow to 27.3 cm (10.7 in) and females to 32.8 cm (12.9 in) in snout–vent length. The species reproduces sexually. The species has been labeled as vulnerable by the IUCN.
The species can be found in western Ecuador. It is locally frequent in Mindo, Ecuador. The species has been reported in elevations at 1019 m to 1780 m or 2,400–2,560 m (7,870–8,400 ft) above sea level.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Modest Ground Snake
- Is the Modest Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Modest Ground Snake (Atractus modestus) 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 Modest Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Modest Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Modest Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Modest Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Modest Ground Snake live?
- The Modest Ground Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Thickhead Ground SnakeAtractus crassicaudatus
Black Ground SnakeAtractus elaps
Three-lined Ground SnakeAtractus trilineatus
Atractus pantostictusAtractus pantostictus
Big Ground SnakeAtractus major
Lasalle's Ground SnakeAtractus lasallei
St. Marta's Ground SnakeAtractus sanctaemartae
Boie's Ground SnakeAtractus badius
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
- Atractus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Atractus modestus
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.