Colubridae
Yellow-lipped Sipo
HarmlessChironius carinatus
5 photographs of the Yellow-lipped Sipo. © Soetjipto Verkuijl.
The Yellow-lipped Sipo (Chironius carinatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 18 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Yellow-lipped Sipo
Chironius carinatus, commonly known as the Amazon coachwhip, is a long and slender, nonvenomous colubrid snake.
Geographic range
It is endemic to the regions of Colombia, northern Brazil, Costa Rica, eastern Venezuela, northern Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
Description
Chironius carinatus may grow to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length. Their body color can range from brown to deep yellow or gold, with the tail being generally darker than the body. The belly is often a bright shade of yellow or orange. In most specimens, body scales have lightly colored centers with darker edges. A light colored stripe runs down the length of the body, fading at the tail. The dorsal scales are in 12 rows.
Diet
It feeds on frogs (especially hylids), lizards, mice and birds.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Yellow-lipped Sipo
- Is the Yellow-lipped Sipo venomous?
- No. The Yellow-lipped Sipo (Chironius carinatus) 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 Yellow-lipped Sipo poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yellow-lipped Sipo is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Yellow-lipped Sipo dangerous?
- The Yellow-lipped Sipo is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Yellow-lipped Sipo live?
- The Yellow-lipped Sipo has verified records in 18 countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Suriname. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Yellow-lipped Sipo eat?
- It feeds on frogs (especially hylids), lizards, mice and birds.
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 carinatus
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.