Colubridae
Troschel's Pampas Snake
HarmlessPhimophis guianensis
2 photographs of the Troschel's Pampas Snake. (c) Jorge I. Merchán Mayorga, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA).
The Troschel's Pampas Snake (Phimophis guianensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 9 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Troschel's Pampas Snake
Phimophis guianensis, also known commonly as Troschel's pampas snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae.
The species is endemic to South America.
Geographic range
Phimophis guianensis has been reported from Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of P. guianensis are shrubland and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 250 m (820 ft).
Description
Phimophis guianensis may attain a total length of 103 cm (41 in), which includes a tail 16 cm (6.3 in) long.
Reproduction
Phimophis guianensis is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Troschel's Pampas Snake
- Is the Troschel's Pampas Snake venomous?
- No. The Troschel's Pampas Snake (Phimophis guianensis) 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 Troschel's Pampas Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Troschel's Pampas Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Troschel's Pampas Snake dangerous?
- The Troschel's Pampas Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Troschel's Pampas Snake live?
- The Troschel's Pampas Snake has verified records in 9 countries, including Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), 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
- Phimophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Phimophis guianensis
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.