Colubridae
Wied's Keelback
HarmlessHelicops carinicaudus
6 photographs of the Wied's Keelback. © Gabriel Jovêncio Ribeiro.
The Wied's Keelback (Helicops carinicaudus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Wied's Keelback
Helicops carinicaudus is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to eastern Brazil. Specimens from Colombia are likely mislabeled, probably representing Helicops danieli.
There are two subspecies:
Helicops carinicaudus carinicauda Wied-Neuwied, 1825
Helicops carinicaudus triserialis Lindholm, 1902
The former subspecies Helicops carinicaudus infrataeniatus is now considered a valid species, Helicops infrataeniatus.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Wied's Keelback
- Is the Wied's Keelback venomous?
- No. The Wied's Keelback (Helicops carinicaudus) 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 Wied's Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Wied's Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Wied's Keelback dangerous?
- The Wied's Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Wied's Keelback live?
- The Wied's Keelback has verified records in 6 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. 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
- Helicops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Helicops carinicaudus
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.