Boidae
Oaxacan Dwarf Boa
HarmlessExiliboa placata

The Oaxacan Dwarf Boa (Exiliboa placata) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Boidae
About the Oaxacan Dwarf Boa
Exiliboa is a monotypic genus created for the non-venomous boa species Exiliboa placata, which is endemic to southern Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Oaxacan Dwarf Boa
- Is the Oaxacan Dwarf Boa venomous?
- No. The Oaxacan Dwarf Boa (Exiliboa placata) 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 Oaxacan Dwarf Boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Oaxacan Dwarf Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Oaxacan Dwarf Boa dangerous?
- The Oaxacan Dwarf Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Oaxacan Dwarf Boa live?
- The Oaxacan Dwarf Boa has verified records in 2 countries, including Mexico, United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Boidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
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.







