Colubridae
Road Guarder
HarmlessConophis lineatus
6 photographs of the Road Guarder. © Bruno Frías Morales.
The Road Guarder (Conophis lineatus) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Road Guarder
Conophis lineatus, also known commonly as the road guarder and la culebra guardacaminos lineada in local Spanish, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. There are two recognized subspecies.
Description
Dorsally, Conophis lineatus has 6–11 dark stripes. The areas between the stripes are tan or whitish. The lower portions of the upper labials are brown. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows on the neck, 19 rows at midbody, and 17 rows posteriorly.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Conophis lineatus are forest and savanna, but it has also been found in disturbed habitats.
Behavior
Conophis lineatus is terrestrial.
Diet
Conophis lineatus preys upon lizards, predominately species of the family Teiidae, and also eats eggs of ground-nesting birds.
Venom
Conophis lineatus is rear-fanged and mildly venomous. Bites to humans cause pain, swellling, and bruising, with symptoms lasting as long as two months.
Reproduction
Conophis lineatus is oviparous.
Subspecies
Two subspecies of Conophis lineatus are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Conophis lineatus concolor Cope, 1867
Conophis lineatus lineatus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Road Guarder
- Is the Road Guarder venomous?
- The Road Guarder (Conophis lineatus) 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 Road Guarder poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Road Guarder is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Road Guarder dangerous?
- The Road Guarder is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Road Guarder live?
- The Road Guarder has verified records in 10 countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Road Guarder eat?
- Conophis lineatus preys upon lizards, predominately species of the family Teiidae, and also eats eggs of ground-nesting birds.
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
- Conophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Conophis lineatus
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.