Colubridae
Two-colored Mussurana
HarmlessMussurana bicolor
6 photographs of the Two-colored Mussurana. © Pablo H Capovilla.
The Two-colored Mussurana (Mussurana bicolor) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 13 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Two-colored Mussurana
Mussurana bicolor, the two-colored mussurana, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern South America.
Description
M. bicolor may attain a maximum total length (including tail) of 99 cm (39 in). Adults are gray or brown dorsally, and ivory ventrally. Juveniles are brick red dorsally, with a black vertebral stripe.
Distribution and habitat
M. bicolor is found in Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. The preferred natural habitats are grassland, savanna, and forest.
Ecology and behaviour
M. bicolor is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Two-colored Mussurana
- Is the Two-colored Mussurana venomous?
- No. The Two-colored Mussurana (Mussurana bicolor) 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 Two-colored Mussurana poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Two-colored Mussurana is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Two-colored Mussurana dangerous?
- The Two-colored Mussurana is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Two-colored Mussurana live?
- The Two-colored Mussurana has verified records in 13 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay. 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
- Mussurana
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Mussurana bicolor
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.