Colubridae
Stejneger's Snail Sucker
HarmlessSibon longifrenis
6 photographs of the Stejneger's Snail Sucker. © Jeffry Cubero.
The Stejneger's Snail Sucker (Sibon longifrenis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Stejneger's Snail Sucker
Sibon longifrenis, Stejneger's snail sucker or lichen-colored snail sucker, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The Sibon longifrenis primarily feeds on amphibian eggs, particularly frog eggs, but will also feed on small oligochaetes and mollusks, such as slugs and snails. The absence of amphibian eggs in their diet may result in nutritional deficit and poor body conditions.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Stejneger's Snail Sucker
- Is the Stejneger's Snail Sucker venomous?
- No. The Stejneger's Snail Sucker (Sibon longifrenis) 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 Stejneger's Snail Sucker poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Stejneger's Snail Sucker is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Stejneger's Snail Sucker dangerous?
- The Stejneger's Snail Sucker is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Stejneger's Snail Sucker live?
- The Stejneger's Snail Sucker has verified records in 4 countries, including Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Sibon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Sibon longifrenis
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.