Colubridae
Red Coffee Snake
HarmlessNinia sebae
2 photographs of the Red Coffee Snake. © Ansil B.R..
The Red Coffee Snake (Ninia sebae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Red Coffee Snake
Ninia sebae, commonly known as the redback coffee snake or the red coffee snake, is a species of small terrestrial snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southeastern Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica. Although it resembles some venomous coral snakes in color and size, it is not venomous and rarely bites humans.
Etymology
The specific name, sebae, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Albertus Seba.
Subspecies
Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Ninia sebae immaculata Schmidt & Rand, 1957
Ninia sebae morleyi Schmidt & Andrews, 1936
Ninia sebae punctulata (Bocourt, 1883)
Ninia sebae sebae (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Ninia.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of N. sebae are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft).
Behavior
Coffee snakes (species in the genus Ninia) are thought to rely on concealment, flight and intimidation to avoid predation. These snakes were observed either flattening their entire bodies when alarmed, or remaining motionless in whatever position they were discovered. In a more recent study these snakes, when touched, displayed a flattened head and neck, and raised their anterior third or half.
Diet
N. sebae preys upon earthworms, slugs, small land snails, and caecilians.
Reproduction
N. sebae is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Red Coffee Snake
- Is the Red Coffee Snake venomous?
- No. The Red Coffee Snake (Ninia sebae) 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 Red Coffee Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Red Coffee Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Red Coffee Snake dangerous?
- The Red Coffee Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Red Coffee Snake live?
- The Red Coffee Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Red Coffee Snake eat?
- N. sebae preys upon earthworms, slugs, small land snails, and caecilians.
- Why is it called the Red Coffee Snake?
- The specific name, sebae, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Albertus Seba.
Where it is found
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
- Ninia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Ninia sebae
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.