Colubridae
Neotropical Snail-eater
HarmlessDipsas indica
6 photographs of the Neotropical Snail-eater. © Vincent A. Vos.
The Neotropical Snail-eater (Dipsas indica) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Neotropical Snail-eater
Dipsas indica, also known as the neotropical snail-eater, is a snake species found in South America. It feeds on slugs and snails, which the snake can extract from their shells using its slender jaw.
There are two subspecies:
Dipsas indica indica Laurenti, 1768
Dipsas indica ecuadoriensis Peters, 1960
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Neotropical Snail-eater
- Is the Neotropical Snail-eater venomous?
- No. The Neotropical Snail-eater (Dipsas indica) 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 Neotropical Snail-eater poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Neotropical Snail-eater is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Neotropical Snail-eater dangerous?
- The Neotropical Snail-eater is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Neotropical Snail-eater live?
- The Neotropical Snail-eater has verified records in 11 countries, including Ecuador, Brazil, Peru. 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
- Dipsas
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dipsas indica
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.