Colubridae
Striped Road Guarder
HarmlessConophis vittatus
5 photographs of the Striped Road Guarder. © Trevor Van Loon.
The Striped Road Guarder (Conophis vittatus) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Striped Road Guarder
Conophis vittatus, also known commonly as the striped road guarder and la guardacaminos rayada in local Spanish, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Mexico and Guatemala.
Description
Conophis vittatus has seven upper labials, and a white chin.
Habitat
Conophis vittatus is found in a variety of natural habitats including forest, shrubland, and grassland, as well as in disturbed habitats such as agricultural land and urban areas, at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
Reproduction
Conophis vittatus is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Striped Road Guarder
- Is the Striped Road Guarder venomous?
- The Striped Road Guarder (Conophis vittatus) 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 Striped Road Guarder poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Striped Road Guarder is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Striped Road Guarder dangerous?
- The Striped Road Guarder is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Striped Road Guarder live?
- The Striped Road Guarder has verified records in 4 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, United States of America. 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
- Conophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Conophis vittatus
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.