Petrolina Mock Viper

About the Petrolina Mock Viper

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Petrolina Mock Viper

Is the Petrolina Mock Viper venomous?

No. The Petrolina Mock Viper (Dryophylax phoenix) 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 Petrolina Mock Viper poisonous?

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

Is the Petrolina Mock Viper dangerous?

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

Why is it called the Petrolina Mock Viper?

D. phoenix is named after the Greek mythological bird, the Phoenix (φοῖνιξ phoinix; Latin: phoenix, fenix), which dies in flames and rises from ashes. It is referenced due to the loss of the original holotype of thiss species, in a fire that destroyed 90% of its herpetological collection. Some specimens were rescued and the data from the lost specimens was preserved. Some common names include Cobra-Espada and Corre-Campo (Portuguese). It is synonymous with

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Keeled Sepia Snake
  Dryophylax hypoconia
• 
  Coastal Mock Viper
  Dryophylax nattereri
• 
  Gambote Mock Viper
  Dryophylax gambotensis
• 
  Chaco Sepia Snake
  Dryophylax chaquensis
• 
  Paraguana Mock Viper
  Dryophylax paraguanae
• 
  Jararaca Mock Viper
  Dryophylax almae
• 
  Double-lined Water Snake
  Dryophylax ramonriveroi
• 
  Apure Mock Viper
  Dryophylax dixoni

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

Dryophylax

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

Dryophylax phoenix

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.