Lyresnake
Western Lyre Snake
HarmlessTrimorphodon biscutatus
6 photographs of the Western Lyre Snake. © Juan Cruzado Cortés.
The Western Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 8 countries.
- Also called
- Lyresnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Slender, 2–3.5 ft.
- Habitat
- Rocky desert slopes and canyons.
- Behavior
- Nocturnal, cat-eyed lizard hunters; rear-fanged but harmless to humans.
- Identify
- Slender with a lyre-shaped mark on the head and vertical pupils.
About the Western Lyre Snake
The western lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus) is a mildly venomous colubrid snake native to Mexico and Guatemala.
Description
They are a moderately sized snake, attaining lengths of approximately 1 meter at adult size. They are generally a brown, tan or grey in color with dark brown blotching down the back. They have large eyes with vertical pupils.
Behavior
They are nocturnal and secretive, spending most of their time in rock crevices, and other areas difficult for potential predators to access. Their diet consists of lizards, small rodents, frogs, and bats. Their venom is not considered to be harmful to humans.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Western Lyre Snake
- Is the Western Lyre Snake venomous?
- The Western Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
- Is the Western Lyre Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Lyre Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Western Lyre Snake dangerous?
- The Western Lyre Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Western Lyre Snake live?
- The Western Lyre Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including Mexico, United States of America, Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Western Lyre Snake?
- Slender with a lyre-shaped mark on the head and vertical pupils.
- How big does the Western Lyre Snake get?
- Slender, 2–3.5 ft.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
More Colubridae snakes
Sonoran Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon lambda
Mexican Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon tau
California LyresnakeTrimorphodon lyrophanes
Central American LyresnakeTrimorphodon quadruplex
Sinaloan LyresnakeTrimorphodon paucimaculatus
Texas Lyre SnakeTrimorphodon vilkinsonii
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
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
- Trimorphodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Trimorphodon biscutatus
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.