Tropical Flat Snake

About the Tropical Flat Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tropical Flat Snake

Is the Tropical Flat Snake venomous?

No. The Tropical Flat Snake (Siphlophis compressus) 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 Tropical Flat Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tropical Flat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Tropical Flat Snake dangerous?

The Tropical Flat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Tropical Flat Snake live?

The Tropical Flat Snake has verified records in 13 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Panama Spotted Night Snake
  Siphlophis cervinus
• 
  Guanabara Spotted Night Snake
  Siphlophis pulcher
• 
  Worontzow's Spotted Night Snake
  Siphlophis worontzowi
• 
  Brazilian Spotted Night Snake
  Siphlophis longicaudatus
• 
  Common Spotted Night Snake
  Siphlophis leucocephalus
• 
  Siphlophis ayauma
  Siphlophis ayauma
• 
  Common Garter Snake
  Thamnophis sirtalis
• 
  Common Watersnake
  Nerodia sipedon

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

Siphlophis

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Siphlophis compressus

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.