Colubridae
Spix's Sipo
HarmlessChironius spixii
6 photographs of the Spix's Sipo. © Daniel van der Post.
The Spix's Sipo (Chironius spixii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Spix's Sipo
Chironius spixii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Etymology
The specific name, spixii, is in honor of German biologist Johann Baptist von Spix.
Description
C. spixii may attain a total length (including tail) of 1.75 m (5.7 ft).
Geographic range
C. spixii is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of C. spixii is forest or savanna at altitudes from near sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft), but it has also been found in plantations and pastures.
Behavior
C. spixii is semi-arboreal.
Diet
C. spixii preys predominately upon amphibians and lizards, but it may also eat small mammals.
Reproduction
C. spixii is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Spix's Sipo
- Is the Spix's Sipo venomous?
- No. The Spix's Sipo (Chironius spixii) 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 Spix's Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Spix's Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Spix's Sipo dangerous?
- The Spix's Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Spix's Sipo live?
- The Spix's Sipo has verified records in 4 countries, including Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Spix's Sipo eat?
- C. spixii preys predominately upon amphibians and lizards, but it may also eat small mammals.
- Why is it called the Spix's Sipo?
- The specific name, spixii, is in honor of German biologist Johann Baptist von Spix.
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
- Chironius
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Chironius spixii
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.