Colubridae
Velvet Swampsnake
HarmlessErythrolamprus typhlus
4 photographs of the Velvet Swampsnake. © Monkey Safari Tur.
The Velvet Swampsnake (Erythrolamprus typhlus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 13 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Velvet Swampsnake
Erythrolamprus typhlus, the blind ground snake or velvet ground snake, is a species of South American snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Classification
Erythrolamprus typhlus belongs to the genus Erythrolamprus, which contains over 50 species. The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae.
Recent phylogenetic analysis of morphological and molecular DNA evidence has shown that Erythrolamprus typhlus is now likely paraphyletic.
The relationships of Erythrolamprus species located in northern South America can be shown in the cladogram below:
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Velvet Swampsnake
- Is the Velvet Swampsnake venomous?
- No. The Velvet Swampsnake (Erythrolamprus typhlus) 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 Velvet Swampsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Velvet Swampsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Velvet Swampsnake dangerous?
- The Velvet Swampsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Velvet Swampsnake live?
- The Velvet Swampsnake has verified records in 13 countries, including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia (Plurinational State of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Yellow-bellied LiophisErythrolamprus poecilogyrus
Military Ground SnakeErythrolamprus miliaris
Fire-bellied SnakeErythrolamprus epinephalus
Black-backed SnakeErythrolamprus melanotus
Aesculapian False Coral SnakeErythrolamprus aesculapii
Double-banded Coral Snake MimicErythrolamprus bizona
Royal Ground SnakeErythrolamprus reginae
Golden LiophisErythrolamprus semiaureus
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
- Erythrolamprus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Erythrolamprus typhlus
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.