Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake

About the Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake

Is the Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake venomous?

The Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira frenata) 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 Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake dangerous?

The Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake live?

The Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Why is it called the Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake?

The subspecific name, malleisi, is in honor of ornithologist Harry Malleis (died 1931).

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Ornate Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira ornata
• 
  Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira rhombifera
• 
  Northern Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira septentrionalis
• 
  Venezuelan Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira ashmeadii
• 
  South American Banded Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira annulata
• 
  Southwestern Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira maculata
• 
  Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira nigrofasciata
• 
  Paraiba Cat-eyed Snake
  Leptodeira tarairiu

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

Leptodeira

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

Leptodeira frenata

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.