Colubridae
Wagler's Sipo
HarmlessChironius scurrula
6 photographs of the Wagler's Sipo. © Rafaella Cevallos Larrea.
The Wagler's Sipo (Chironius scurrula) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Wagler's Sipo
Chironius scurrulus, commonly known as the smooth machete savane, is a large slender colubrid snake. It is also known as Wagler's sipo.
Geographic range
It is found in tropical rainforests of the Brazilian Amazon, Southeastern Colombia, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, east of Venezuela, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana.
Description
The dorsal scales are in only 10 rows.
Habitat and biology
It feeds on frogs and lizards. They are diurnal. They live in primary and secondary forest habitats, on the ground or small trees, or in shrubs and bushes.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Wagler's Sipo
- Is the Wagler's Sipo venomous?
- No. The Wagler's Sipo (Chironius scurrula) 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 Wagler's Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Wagler's Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Wagler's Sipo dangerous?
- The Wagler's Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Wagler's Sipo live?
- The Wagler's Sipo has verified records in 11 countries, including Peru, Ecuador, Brazil. 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 scurrula
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.