Redback Coffee Snake
Ninia sebae
A small, secretive leaf-litter snake with a distinctive reddish stripe down its back, common in Central American forests.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.25-0.45 m (10-18 in)
- Range
- Mexico to northern South America
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Overview
The redback coffee snake is a small terrestrial colubrid found in humid forests from Mexico through Central America. It is named for its habit of frequenting shaded coffee plantations and leaf litter.
Harmless to humans, it is a shy, secretive species rarely seen in the open.
How to identify it
- Reddish-brown to reddish-orange broad stripe running down the back
- Dark gray to black sides and a pale collar behind the head
- Smooth scales, cylindrical body
- Small head barely distinct from the neck
- Round pupils
- Similar species lack the bright reddish dorsal band and dark neck collar
Habitat & range
Inhabits leaf litter of humid lowland and premontane forests, plantations, and gardens from sea level to about 1,500 m. Ranges from Mexico through Central America into parts of Colombia and Venezuela.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and secretive, spending most of its time hidden beneath leaf litter, logs, and debris. Primarily nocturnal, feeding on slugs, earthworms, and small invertebrates. Lays eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the redback coffee snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless to humans.
Why is it called a coffee snake?
It is commonly found sheltering in leaf litter within shaded coffee plantations.
What does it eat?
Mostly slugs, earthworms, and small invertebrates.
How can I identify it?
Look for a broad reddish stripe down the back contrasting with dark sides and a pale neck collar.
Redback Coffee Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Redback Coffee Snake.
