Red Vine Snake
Siphlophis compressus
A slender, laterally compressed arboreal colubrid of the Amazon known for its striking red, black, and yellow banded pattern.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.7-1 m (2.3-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Amazon Basin, South America
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Overview
The red vine snake is an arboreal, mildly venomous colubrid distributed throughout the Amazon Basin. Its compressed body shape aids movement through vegetation as it hunts sleeping lizards at night.
Though rear-fanged, it is not considered dangerous to humans.
How to identify it
- Body strongly laterally compressed, giving a ribbon-like appearance
- Reddish, black, and yellow crossbands or blotches along the length
- Large eyes with vertically elliptical pupils, aiding nocturnal vision
- Slender build suited for climbing
- Distinguished from true vine snakes by its banded rather than solid green or brown pattern
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland tropical rainforest canopy and understory vegetation throughout the Amazon Basin, generally below 500 m elevation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Strictly nocturnal and arboreal, hunting sleeping lizards, particularly anoles, on foliage and branches at night. Reproduces by laying eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the red vine snake dangerous?
It is mildly venomous but not considered dangerous to humans.
Why does it have vertical pupils?
Vertical pupils are an adaptation for enhanced night vision, aiding its nocturnal hunting.
What does it hunt?
Mainly sleeping lizards, especially anoles, captured on vegetation at night.
Where is it found?
Throughout the Amazon Basin of South America.
Red Vine Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Red Vine Snake.
