Is the Oxybelis transandinus venomous?

The Oxybelis transandinus is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Oxybelis transandinus poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Oxybelis transandinus is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Oxybelis transandinus dangerous?

The Oxybelis transandinus is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Oxybelis transandinus live?

The Oxybelis transandinus has verified records in 2 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Oxybelis transandinus

Harmless

This species has no widely used English common name.

6 photographs of the Oxybelis transandinus. © Rob Felix.

Oxybelis transandinus is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Oxybelis transandinus

Oxybelis transandinus is a species of snake. The species was originally described in 2021 by Omar Torres-Carvajal, Mauricio Mejía-Guerrero and Claudia Terán from the Museo de Zoología of the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Ecuador.

Description

Oxybelis transandinus is a species of Neotropical vine snakes that is endemic to Ecuador. It has been recently described as being distinct from a similar species of vine snake; Oxybelis aeneus. Phylogenetic analyses has shown distinctive genetic differences.

Range & habitat

The species has been observed in Ecuador. The Holotype has been collected in Bosqueira Protected Forest and is an adult male. Paratypes were collected throughout the Pacific lowlands of Ecuador. The species have been observed in dry ecosystems where the snake is active from the ground up to 1.5 meters in shrubs.

Etymology

The name of the species is derived from Latin, where "Trans", means beyond and "Andinus" means Andean.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Oxybelis transandinus

Is the Oxybelis transandinus venomous?: The Oxybelis transandinus is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
Is the Oxybelis transandinus poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Oxybelis transandinus is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Oxybelis transandinus dangerous?: The Oxybelis transandinus is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Oxybelis transandinus live?: The Oxybelis transandinus has verified records in 2 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Ecuador Colombia

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: Oxybelis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Oxybelis transandinus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.