Colubridae
Rutherford's Vine Snake
HarmlessOxybelis rutherfordi
6 photographs of the Rutherford's Vine Snake. © Samuel GUIRAUDOU.
The Rutherford's Vine Snake (Oxybelis rutherfordi) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Rutherford's Vine Snake
Oxybelis rutherfordi, Rutherford's vine snake, commonly known as the Horsewhip in Trinidad and Tobago, is a species of snake. The species was originally described in 2020 by Robert C. Jadin, Christopher Blair, Sarah A. Orlofske, Michael J. Jowers, Gilson A. Rivas, Laurie J. Vitt, Julie M. Ray, Eric N. Smith & John C. Murphy.
Description
Oxybelis rutherfordi is one of the Neotropical vine snakes . In 2020 it was described as being distinct from a similar species of vine snake; Oxybelis aeneus. Phylogenetic analyses has shown distinctive genetic differences.
Range and habitat
The species has been observed in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela including Margarita Island, and French Guiana. The Holotype was collected in the grounds of the William Beebe Tropical Research Station (also known as Simla), in the Arima Valley in the Northern Range of Trinidad and is an adult female.
Etymology
The species was named after Mike G. Rutherford, collector of the holotype and at the time curator of the University of the West Indies Zoology Museum (UWIZM), for his contributions to the zoology and natural history of Trinidad and Tobago.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Rutherford's Vine Snake
- Is the Rutherford's Vine Snake venomous?
- The Rutherford's Vine Snake (Oxybelis rutherfordi) 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 Rutherford's Vine Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Rutherford's Vine Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Rutherford's Vine Snake dangerous?
- The Rutherford's Vine Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Rutherford's Vine Snake live?
- The Rutherford's Vine Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Rutherford's Vine Snake?
- The species was named after Mike G. Rutherford, collector of the holotype and at the time curator of the University of the West Indies Zoology Museum (UWIZM), for his contributions to the zoology and natural history of Trinidad and Tobago.
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
- Oxybelis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Oxybelis rutherfordi
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.