Central American Mussurana
Clelia scytalina
A robust, dark-colored colubrid from Central America famous within its genus for preying heavily on other snakes, including venomous species.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Southern Mexico to Panama
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Overview
The Central American mussurana is a member of the genus Clelia, snakes renowned for their resistance to pit viper venom and their habit of eating other snakes. This species occupies forested habitats from Mexico to Panama.
While rear-fanged and mildly venomous, it is not considered dangerous to humans and is valued ecologically for controlling populations of venomous snakes.
How to identify it
- Adults typically uniform slate-gray to bluish-black dorsally
- Juveniles are strikingly different, with a red body and black-and-white banded head and neck
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Robust, muscular build
- Round pupils
- Juvenile coloration can cause confusion with coral snake mimics, but the pattern and head shape differ
Habitat & range
Found in humid lowland and premontane forests, often near streams, from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama, generally below 1,500 m.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and terrestrial. Diet consists largely of other snakes, including venomous pit vipers, to which it has some resistance, as well as lizards and small mammals. Lays eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Central American mussurana dangerous to humans?
It is only mildly venomous via rear fangs and is not considered a threat to people.
What is unusual about its diet?
It preys heavily on other snakes, including venomous pit vipers, and has some natural resistance to their venom.
Do juveniles look different from adults?
Yes, juveniles are red with a banded black-and-white head, while adults become uniform dark gray to black.
Where does it live?
In humid forests from southern Mexico through Panama.
Central American Mussurana guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Central American Mussurana.
