Yucatán White-lipped Snake

About the Yucatán White-lipped Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Yucatán White-lipped Snake

Is the Yucatán White-lipped Snake venomous?

No. The Yucatán White-lipped Snake (Symphimus mayae) 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 Yucatán White-lipped Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yucatán White-lipped Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Yucatán White-lipped Snake dangerous?

The Yucatán White-lipped Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Yucatán White-lipped Snake live?

The Yucatán White-lipped Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Mexico, Belize. See the distribution section below for its full range.

What does the Yucatán White-lipped Snake eat?

Symphimus mayae preys predominately upon orthopterans such as crickets (family Gryllidae) and katydids (family Tettigoniidae).

Why is it called the Yucatán White-lipped Snake?

The specific name, mayae, is in honor of the Maya, an indigenous people of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Mexican White-lipped Snake
  Symphimus leucostomus
• 
  Common Garter Snake
  Thamnophis sirtalis
• 
  Common Watersnake
  Nerodia sipedon
• 
  Gopher Snake
  Pituophis catenifer
• 
  DeKay's Brownsnake
  Storeria dekayi
• 
  North American Racer
  Coluber constrictor
• 
  Ring-necked Snake
  Diadophis punctatus
• 
  Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
  Thamnophis elegans

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

Symphimus

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Symphimus mayae

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.