Colubridae
Terrestrial Snail Sucker
HarmlessGeophis sartorii
The Terrestrial Snail Sucker (Geophis sartorii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Terrestrial Snail Sucker
Geophis sartorii, also known commonly as Sartorius' snail-sucker and the terrestrial snail sucker, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern North America and Central America. There are two recognized subspecies.
Etymology
The specific name, sartorii, is in honor of German-born Mexican naturalist Christian Carl Wilhelm Sartorius.
The subspecific name, macdougalli, is in honor of naturalist Thomas Baillie MacDougall.
Geographic range
G. sartorii is found in southeastern Mexico, and in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of G. sartorii is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
Description
G. sartorii may attain a snout-to-vent length of 48 cm (19 in) with a tail length of 14 cm (5.5 in). The body is black, with 16–20 narrow rings, which are yellowish to reddish in color.
Diet
G. sartorii preys upon snails.
Reproduction
G. sartorii is oviparous.
Mimicry
G. sartorii mimicks Micrurus elegans, a species of venomous coral snake with which it is sympatric.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Geophis sartorius macdougalli (H.M. Smith, 1943)
Geophis sartorii sartorii (Cope, 1863)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Geophis.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Terrestrial Snail Sucker
- Is the Terrestrial Snail Sucker venomous?
- No. The Terrestrial Snail Sucker (Geophis sartorii) 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 Terrestrial Snail Sucker poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Terrestrial Snail Sucker is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Terrestrial Snail Sucker dangerous?
- The Terrestrial Snail Sucker is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Terrestrial Snail Sucker live?
- The Terrestrial Snail Sucker has verified records in 11 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Terrestrial Snail Sucker eat?
- G. sartorii preys upon snails.
- Why is it called the Terrestrial Snail Sucker?
- The specific name, sartorii, is in honor of German-born Mexican naturalist Christian Carl Wilhelm Sartorius. The subspecific name, macdougalli, is in honor of naturalist Thomas Baillie MacDougall.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Hoffmann's Earth SnakeGeophis hoffmanni
Coral Earth SnakeGeophis semidoliatus
Gray Earth SnakeGeophis brachycephalus
Pygmy Snail SuckerGeophis sanniolus
Potosí Earth SnakeGeophis latifrontalis
Highland Earth SnakeGeophis mutitorques
Rosebelly Earth SnakeGeophis rhodogaster
Dugès' Earth SnakeGeophis dugesii
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 sartorii
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.