13 COMMON Snakes Found in Venezuela! (2023)
Do you want to learn about the types of snakes in Venezuela?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. In the article below, I have listed the MOST COMMON snakes you can expect to see. Unfortunately, there are so many snakes that live in Venezuela that it would be impossible to list each one. 🙂
You’ll see that the snakes in Venezuela are very different from each other. They range from venomous species to snakes that use constriction to immobilize their prey. In addition, certain snakes are common to find living around people. For each species, you will find out how to identify that snake correctly, along with pictures, interesting facts, and range maps!
13 types of snakes in Venezuela:
#1. Garden Tree Boa
- Corallus hortulana
Also known as Amazon Tree Boa, Macabrel, Common Tree Boa
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults are 53-188 cm (21-74 in), but they can grow up to 220 cm (87 in).
- They are famous for being polymorphic. Some snakes have patternless bodies, while others are marked with bands, chevrons, and speckles everywhere.
- Morph #1 (“Colored” morph): Bright colors such as red, orange, and yellow
- Morph #2 (“Garden” morph): Lackluster tones such as black, gray, brown, or olive
Look for this snake in Venezuela in humid jungles, dry savannas, and riversides.
As you can probably tell from its name, the Garden Tree Boa feels most at home in the protection of trees. Here, it hunts birds, lizards, frogs, and small mammals.
Unlike most other reptiles, female Garden Tree Boas give birth to live young. These babies are impressively self-sufficient! They can fend for themselves immediately after being born. After only three years, they’re fully grown and ready to repeat the reproduction cycle.
Although Garden Tree Boas are non-venomous, you may want to keep your hands off. They are known to bite at the slightest provocation, and a bite can really hurt! This makes them more suited for experienced snake keepers, but there’s plenty of time to learn; they live for up to 20 years in captivity.
#2. Common Blunt-headed Snake
- Imantodes cenchoa
Also known as Fiddle-string Snake, Neotropical Blunthead Treesnake
Identifying Characteristics:
- They grow to be 80-150 cm (31-59 in).
- They have slender bodies, narrow necks, and large heads.
- Brown and black patches alternate along the body.
This small, cartoonish snake slithers among low vegetation in rainforests in Venezuela. If you look closely, you’ll notice its bizarre set of eyes! They are comically large with vertical slits for pupils. This gives the Common Blunt-headed Snake better vision than other snakes.
Wide awake at night, they feed on sleeping lizards, amphibians, and reptile eggs. When the sun comes out, you might find Common Blunt-headed Snakes coiled and resting on vines and bushes. They like cool, wet environments and are more active in the rainy seasons.
Common Blunt-headed Snakes have mild venom and docile natures. Therefore, they pose no danger to humans. However, they don’t do well in captivity, so it’s better to observe this snake in the wild instead of keeping one as a pet.
#3. Fer-de-lance
- Bothrops atrox
Also known as Common Lancehead, Barba Amarilla
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults can grow 75-125 cm (30-49 in) in length.
- Look for a series of trapezoids across the body.
- Coloration is usually olive, gray, or brown. They have light-colored bellies, commonly white or cream.
- These snakes have golden irises and black tongues.
The Fer-de-lance is responsible for most of the snake bites in Venezuela.
So, it’s best to tread carefully if you find yourself in the Amazon region. While these snakes live primarily in dense forests, they also wander into coffee plantations when hunting.
As with other pit vipers, the Fer-de-lance has heat sensors below its eyes to track prey. They easily devour smaller prey like frogs and tarantulas. However, when it comes to larger prey, these snakes bite and then let go. The venom eventually kills the animal while the lancehead tracks it down again.
This snake isn’t only dangerous to its prey, either. A bite from the Common Lancehead targets the circulatory system and can cause serious internal bleeding to humans. Interestingly, the younger snakes have faster-acting venom. Either way, you should seek medical attention quickly if you get bitten by this aggressive species.
#4. Green Anaconda
- Eunectes murinus
Also known as Giant Anaconda, Common Anaconda, Common Water Boa, Water Kamudi, Sucuri
Identifying Characteristics:
- Green Anacondas can grow 500 cm (16.4 ft) long and weigh about 30-70 kg (66-154 lbs).
- Females are much larger than males.
- Their bodies are olive green with dark blotches, but some are brown and yellow.
- The eyes are on top of their heads to help them look around while submerged.
The Green Anaconda is the largest, heaviest snake in Venezuela and worldwide!
Adults can grow as long as a small school bus when stretched from head to tail. You can find them submerged in swamps or hidden deep in rainforests.
With their sheer size, Green Anacondas can ambush large animals that go for a drink near the water’s edge. Deer, capybaras, or even jaguars can fall victim to this relentless predator! Their hunting style is perfectly designed to take down a large meal.
First, these snakes latch onto prey with a bite from their large, sharp fangs. Then they coil themselves around their prey to make escape impossible. Finally, they slowly swallow their meal whole. Green Anacondas take time to digest such a large meal, surviving for weeks without eating again. Though they are large enough to eat humans, there are no official reports of such cases. What a relief! 🙂
#5. Boa Constrictor
- Boa constrictor
Also known as Red-tailed Boa, Common Boa
Identifying Characteristics:
- These snakes grow 400 cm (157 in) long on average.
- Females are longer and wider than males.
- Coloration depends on their habitat. They can be varying shades of tan, brown, green, and even yellow or red.
- They have distinctive geometric patterns with ovals, diamonds, bands, and stripes.
The Boa Constrictor is so famous it doesn’t need a common name! Instead, people easily remember it by its scientific name, Boa Constrictor! Hailing from the humid tropics, this heavyweight snake can be spotted in trees and burrows.
Don’t let its large size fool you! The Boa Constrictor is an ambush predator that can strike with blinding speed. It enjoys feasting on monkeys and wild boars. This snake is also a remarkable swimmer, so don’t be surprised to find one near a river or stream.
Boa Constrictors are a popular attraction in zoos all over the world. In captivity, they can live for over 40 years. They’re generally docile, but they’ll still deliver a warning bite if they feel threatened. Thankfully, they’re non-venomous.
#6. Terciopelo
- Bothrops asper
Identifying Characteristics:
- On average, these vipers are 120-180 cm (47-71 in) long.
- Terciopelos have wide, flat heads.
- Females can grow up to 10 times larger than males.
- They range from brown to gray. Patterns include dark spots and stripes that form triangles along the body.
The Terciopelo, which is also referred to as a Fer-de-lance in its range, is a venomous species you can find in tropical rainforests and lowlands. They have a fierce reputation and are responsible for many of the snakebites that occur in Venezuela. They also have large fangs and an exceptionally high venom yield. This snake is impressive but also terrifying and has been nicknamed “the ultimate pit viper”!
This large pit viper is a patient predator. It will disguise itself among leaf litter for long periods, then bite swiftly once prey comes in range. The Terciopelo’s usual meal includes various insects, rabbits, and crayfish.
The venom of a Terciopelo is dangerously potent. Unfortunate victims can experience fevers, internal bleeding, and even death in extreme cases. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you think you’ve been bitten. If the Terciopelo is cornered, it will strike faster than you can react. So always keep a respectful distance!
#7. Mountain Keelback
- Helicops angulatus
Also known as Brown-banded Watersnake, Water Mapepire
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults grow to a maximum length of 78 cm (31 inches).
- Their eyes and nostrils are situated at the top of their heads.
- These snakes tend to be olive or grayish brown. Dark, jagged bands cover their bodies.
The Mountain Keelback is one of the slowest snakes in Venezuela!
These sluggish travelers only move about a few meters each day. If you want to find one in action (or non-action, because of their slow speed), look in the freshwater bodies of the Amazon basin.
Because of its slow-moving nature, this species prefers to ambush unsuspecting prey. At night, Mountain Keelbacks lie in wait for unlucky animals swimming by. Smaller fish, frogs, and tadpoles are all on the menu. However, sometimes they are the unlucky ones as they are common prey for herons and larger snakes.
Mountain Keelbacks are only mildly venomous. However, they can be very irritable when disturbed. In defense, they will coil into an S position before lunging into a bite. They can’t kill you, but their bites are still quite painful. Hands off!
#8. Cloudy Snail-eating Snake
- Sibon nebulatus
Also known as Slug-eating Snake, Cloudy Snail Sucker, Clouded Snake
Identifying Characteristics:
- Not bigger than 71 cm (28 in), these snakes can fit in the palm of your hand.
- They have wide heads and large eyes, and their tails are more slender towards the tip.
- Coloration is usually gray or brown, patterned with dark bands and spots.
The humid forests of Venezuela are home to Cloudy Snail-Eaters. Pay attention to the forest floor, where these tiny snakes crawl along the carpet of dead leaves at night. They’re especially active after a good rain.
Cloudy Snail-Eating Snakes are quite crafty hunters and have a perfect system to catch a meal! First, they track down the scent of their favorite prey. Then, when they catch one, they’ll drag the snail until its shell gets stuck between rocks. Finally, they’ll pull the soft body out and swallow their prize.
Cloudy Snail-Eaters are a non-venomous species. and they’re too small to cause serious damage when biting. Instead, they’ll secrete a foul odor to defend themselves against attackers.
#9. Giant Parrot Snake
- Leptophis ahaetulla
Also known as Parrot Snake, Lora
Identifying Characteristics:
- These slim-bodied snakes can grow to 172 cm (68 in) long.
- Typically, the coloration is bright green or bronze with a lighter underside. Yellow stripes are sometimes seen at the sides.
- They have noticeably large, yellow eyes with round pupils.
- Look for a black lining along the eyes on both sides of the head.
Among the trees and underbrush of Venezuela’s jungles, you might encounter what you think is a moving vine. However, a closer look would reveal it to be the Giant Parrot Snake! It’s a long, slender snake whose name refers to its vivid colors.
Parrot Snakes are only mildly venomous. Their fangs are set at the back of their mouths, so it’s harder for them to deliver venom. Even so, don’t tempt a bite! The bacteria in their mouths can cause a serious infection that requires medical attention.
Despite being narrow and seemingly harmless, Parrot Snakes are fierce predators. They hunt during daylight hours, taking down small birds and tree lizards with aggressive agility. Occasionally, if food is scarce, they are known to cannibalize each other.
#10. Black-backed Snake
- Erythrolamprus melanotus
Also known as Shaw’s Dark Ground Snake, South American Black-backed Smooth Snake, Squirrel Snake
Identifying Characteristics:
- They are fairly small and slender snakes that can grow to 43-60 cm (17-24 in) long.
- Their snouts are rounded.
- As you might have guessed from the name, these snakes have a black stripe that runs along the back from snout to tail.
- The rest of their bodies are lighter in color, commonly yellow, white, or orange.
You might see this snake in Venezuela in freshwater rivers treading in the currents.
The Black-backed Snake is primarily a land-dwelling species, but it’s also an excellent swimmer.
Black-backed Snakes are active during the day when they chase after small lizards on dry land. In the water, they forage for fish and frogs. They’re also common on cacao plantations, where they seem comfortable around humans. But don’t be alarmed; they are non-venomous and don’t pose any danger to us.
On their native island of Trinidad, these snakes are called Beh belle chemin. This translates to “beauty of the road.” The black and yellow stripes intricately lining their body indeed make them a thing of beauty!
#11. Forest Flame Snake
- Oxyrhopus petolarius
Also known as False Coral, Calico Snake
Identifying Characteristics:
- They can reach a total length of 91 cm (36 in).
- Some specimens can mimic the patterns of coral snakes. They’re usually black with brightly colored bands in red, orange, and white shades.
- Some are plain brown with shiny scales.
- They have round, bulging eyes.
The Forest Flame Snake lives in forests, foothills, and lowlands in Venezuela. This snake is mainly a night-time hunter, stalking rodents, lizards, and sleeping birds. Sometimes, it will raid birds’ nests to feast on eggs. Its venom is particularly toxic to Anole Lizards, one of its favorite foods.
When the sun comes out, Forest Flame Snakes will retreat into the shade for rest. However, they like warm places, so you might find one hiding in a hollow log where it’s easier to preserve heat.
They are only mildly venomous snakes and pose no danger to humans. On the contrary, Forest Flame Snakes are quite calm even when handled. Their first instinct upon sensing threats is to flee instead of fight.
#12. Neotropical Rattlesnake
- Crotalus durissus
Also known as South American Rattlesnake, Central American Rattlesnake, Cascabel Rattlesnake, Guiana Rattlesnake, Aruba Island Rattlesnake
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults are typically 150 cm (59 in) long on average.
- There is a prominent stripe at the base of their heads, intersecting each eye.
- Scales protrude from their body.
- They usually appear in shades of brown and gray. Sometimes, patterns of diamonds and triangles form across the body. Bellies are yellowish or white.
Neotropical Rattlesnakes in Venezuela are residents of grasslands and tropical forests.
You might also find them in drier areas if a shortage of prey drives them to find food. These snakes are most active at dusk, stalking rodents and other reptiles. They’re equipped with heat-sensing pits below their eyes to track down prey.
These rattlesnakes are dangerously venomous. Left untreated, bite victims can experience muscle paralysis and difficulty breathing. In the worst cases, victims can end up with organ failure and death. Therefore, if you receive a bite from a Neotropical Rattlesnake, it’s vital to get medical help as soon as possible.
A Neotropical Rattlesnake can move with remarkable speed, but its first instinct is not to attack. To warn you, it might make a rattling sound with its tail or raise its forebody into a defensive striking posture. When this happens, it’s best to respect the warning, back away slowly, and then leave the area.
#13. Brown Vinesnake
- Oxybelis aeneus
Also known as Mexican Vine Snake, Pike-headed Tree Snake, Horse Whip
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults reach 190 cm (75 in) in length.
- They have incredibly slim bodies and long heads with narrow, pointed snouts.
- Gray or brown colors are common. Undersides are pale or yellow. The inside of the mouth is black.
Brown Vinesnakes in Venezuela are an arboreal species, living most of their lives in trees and shrubbery. You might find them in forested areas, hunting for prey when the sun is out. Their favorite meals are tree lizards, birds, frogs, and small rodents.
With slender, dark-colored bodies, Brown Vinesnakes are practically undetectable when camouflaged against twigs! This camouflage allows them to hide from predators. However, if confrontation can’t be avoided, these reptiles will open their ink-black mouths as a threat display.
The venom of the Brown Vinesnake is only effective against small prey. Humans, on the other hand, would have almost no symptoms aside from mild pain from the bite itself. Occasionally, these snakes may expel a foul order to dissuade attackers.
Please check out these guides to other animals found in Venezuela!
Which of these snakes have you seen before in Venezuela?
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