Colubridae
Uruguayan Sipo
HarmlessChironius gouveai
4 photographs of the Uruguayan Sipo. © Fabrício Mil Homens Riella.
The Uruguayan Sipo (Chironius gouveai) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Uruguayan Sipo
Chironius gouveai, Gouvea's sipo, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Uruguayan Sipo
- Is the Uruguayan Sipo venomous?
- No. The Uruguayan Sipo (Chironius gouveai) 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 Uruguayan Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Uruguayan Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Uruguayan Sipo dangerous?
- The Uruguayan Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Uruguayan Sipo live?
- The Uruguayan Sipo has verified records in 3 countries, including Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina. 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
- Chironius
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Chironius gouveai
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.