Colubridae
White-fronted Sipo
HarmlessChironius leucometapus
3 photographs of the White-fronted Sipo. (c) Joey Santore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The White-fronted Sipo (Chironius leucometapus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the White-fronted Sipo
Chironius leucometapus, the yellow-headed sipo, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: White-fronted Sipo
- Is the White-fronted Sipo venomous?
- No. The White-fronted Sipo (Chironius leucometapus) 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 White-fronted Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-fronted Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the White-fronted Sipo dangerous?
- The White-fronted Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the White-fronted Sipo live?
- The White-fronted Sipo has verified records in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Colombia. 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 leucometapus
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.