Colubridae
Williams' Tree Snake
HarmlessDipsas williamsi
2 photographs of the Williams' Tree Snake. (c) TOUROULT Julien, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by TOUROULT Julien.
The Williams' Tree Snake (Dipsas williamsi) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Williams' Tree Snake
Dipsas williamsi, also known commonly as Williams's tree snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Peru. It was named in honor of Ernest Edward Williams by Nelly Carrillo Espinoza (1974).
Original publication
Carrillo de Espinoza N (1974). "Sibynomorphus williamsi nov. sp. (Serpentes: Colubridae)". Publicaciones del Museo de Historia Natural "Javier Prado", Serie A (Zoología) (24): 1–16. (Sibynomorphus wiiliamsi, new species). (in Spanish).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Williams' Tree Snake
- Is the Williams' Tree Snake venomous?
- No. The Williams' Tree Snake (Dipsas williamsi) 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 Williams' Tree Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Williams' Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Williams' Tree Snake dangerous?
- The Williams' Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Williams' Tree Snake live?
- The Williams' Tree Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Peru. 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
- Dipsas
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dipsas williamsi
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.