Ruthven's Earth Snake

About the Ruthven's Earth Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Ruthven's Earth Snake

Is the Ruthven's Earth Snake venomous?

No. The Ruthven's Earth Snake (Geophis ruthveni) 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 Ruthven's Earth Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ruthven's Earth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Ruthven's Earth Snake dangerous?

The Ruthven's Earth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Ruthven's Earth Snake live?

The Ruthven's Earth Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Terrestrial Snail Sucker
  Geophis sartorii
• 
  Hoffmann's Earth Snake
  Geophis hoffmanni
• 
  Coral Earth Snake
  Geophis semidoliatus
• 
  Gray Earth Snake
  Geophis brachycephalus
• 
  Pygmy Snail Sucker
  Geophis sanniolus
• 
  Potosí Earth Snake
  Geophis latifrontalis
• 
  Highland Earth Snake
  Geophis mutitorques
• 
  Rosebelly Earth Snake
  Geophis rhodogaster

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 ruthveni

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.