Is the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake venomous?

No. The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake (Leptophis diplotropis) 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 Pacific Coast Parrot Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake dangerous?

The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake live?

The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Pacific Coast Parrot Snake

Harmless

Leptophis diplotropis

Pacific Coast Parrot Snake — Leptophis diplotropis, © Francisco Farriols Sarabia

6 photographs of the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake. © Francisco Farriols Sarabia.

The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake (Leptophis diplotropis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake

Leptophis diplotropis, commonly known as the Pacific Coast parrot snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

Geographic range

The geographic range of L. diplotropis in Mexico extends from southwestern Chihuahua and southern Sonora to southeastern Oaxaca.

Description

Dorsally, L. diplotropis is green (which fades to blue in alcohol) with black and white striping. Ventrally, it is white. Males may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 90 cm (35 in) plus a tail length of 51 cm (20 in). Females, which are smaller, may attain 73 cm (29 in) SVL plus a 37 cm (15 in) tail. It has on average 19 maxillary teeth, of which the rearmost two are strongly enlarged.

Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies, including the nominate race.

Leptophis diplotropis diplotropis (Günther, 1872)

Leptophis diplotropis forreri H.M. Smith, 1943

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Leptophis.

Etymology

The subspecific name, forreri, is in honor of Alphonse Forrer (1836–1899), an English-born collector of zoological specimens in Mexico for the British Museum.

Habitat

L. diplotropis is found in tropical dry forest, semi-deciduous forest, mangrove forest, oak forest and wet forest, from sea level up to 1,600 m (5,200 ft). It is a highly adaptable species, which is also found in disturbed areas.

Behavior

L. diplotropis is diurnal and mostly arboreal.

Diet

L. diplotropis preys predominately upon frogs (genera Agalychnis, Lithobates, Smilisca, Tlalocohyla, Trachycephalus) and lizards (genus Phyllodactylus).

Reproduction

L. diplotropis is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Pacific Coast Parrot Snake

Is the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake venomous?: No. The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake (Leptophis diplotropis) 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 Pacific Coast Parrot Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake dangerous?: The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake live?: The Pacific Coast Parrot Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake eat?: L. diplotropis preys predominately upon frogs (genera Agalychnis, Lithobates, Smilisca, Tlalocohyla, Trachycephalus) and lizards (genus Phyllodactylus).
Why is it called the Pacific Coast Parrot Snake?: The subspecific name, forreri, is in honor of Alphonse Forrer (1836–1899), an English-born collector of zoological specimens in Mexico for the British Museum.

Where it is found

Mexico Colombia Nicaragua

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: Leptophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Leptophis diplotropis

Keep learning

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