Colubridae
Pygmy Snail Sucker
HarmlessGeophis sanniolus
The Pygmy Snail Sucker (Geophis sanniolus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Pygmy Snail Sucker
Geophis sanniolus, commonly known as the pygmy snail-eating snake or the pygmy snail sucker, is a species of small snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central America and southeastern Mexico.
Geographic range
Geophis sanniolus is found in Belize, Guatemala, and the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.
Habitat
Geophis sanniolus is a relatively common snake that occurs in tropical semi-deciduous forest and thorn forest, and also in degraded forest.
Reproduction
An oviparous species, Geophis sanniolus reaches sexual maturity in eight months and produces a single clutch per year.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Geophis sanniolus neilli Henderson, Hoevers & Wilson, 1977 – Neill's snail sucker
Geophis sanniolus sanniolus (Cope, 1866)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority or a binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies or species was originally described in a genus other than Geophis.
Etymology
The subspecific name, neilli, is in honor of American herpetologist Wilfred T. Neill.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Pygmy Snail Sucker
- Is the Pygmy Snail Sucker venomous?
- No. The Pygmy Snail Sucker (Geophis sanniolus) 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 Pygmy Snail Sucker poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pygmy Snail Sucker is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Pygmy Snail Sucker dangerous?
- The Pygmy Snail Sucker is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Why is it called the Pygmy Snail Sucker?
- The subspecific name, neilli, is in honor of American herpetologist Wilfred T. Neill.
More Colubridae snakes
Terrestrial Snail SuckerGeophis sartorii
Hoffmann's Earth SnakeGeophis hoffmanni
Coral Earth SnakeGeophis semidoliatus
Gray Earth SnakeGeophis brachycephalus
Potosí Earth SnakeGeophis latifrontalis
Highland Earth SnakeGeophis mutitorques
Rosebelly Earth SnakeGeophis rhodogaster
Dugès' Earth SnakeGeophis dugesii
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
- Geophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Geophis sanniolus
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.