Is the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa venomous?

No. The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis schwartzi) 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 Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa dangerous?

The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa live?

The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa has verified records in 1 country, including Cayman Islands. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Tropidophiidae

Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa

Harmless

Tropidophis schwartzi

The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis schwartzi) is a non-venomous snake in the Tropidophiidae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family: Tropidophiidae

About the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa

The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa belongs to the Tropidophiidae family, dwarf boas. Small New-World boas that can bleed from the eyes when threatened.

Dwarf boas are small, harmless constrictors of the American tropics. Several have the startling defense of voluntarily bleeding from the mouth and eyes, alongside coiling into a ball and discharging musk.

Its genus, Tropidophis, covers dwarf boas (West Indian dwarf boas). Small, secretive New World snakes famous for a strange defense: they bleed from the eyes and mouth and play dead when threatened.

The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.

It has been recorded in Cayman Islands.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa

Is the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa venomous?: No. The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis schwartzi) 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 Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa dangerous?: The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa live?: The Schwartz’ Dwarf Boa has verified records in 1 country, including Cayman Islands. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Cayman Islands

More Tropidophiidae 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: Tropidophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Tropidophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Tropidophis schwartzi

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.