Ringed Snail-eater
Sibon annulatus
An alternate name for the boldly ringed Central American snail-eating snake, distinguished by its complete encircling bands of color.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.7 m (1.3-2.3 ft)
- Range
- Central America (Honduras to Panama)
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Overview
Ringed Snail-eater is another common name for Sibon annulatus, referencing the complete rings of color encircling its slender body, distinct from the blotched patterns of related species.
It shares the same non-venomous, mollusk-specialized biology as its relatives, playing a niche ecological role as a nocturnal predator of snails and slugs in Central American rainforests.
How to identify it
- Complete rings of red, black, and cream color encircling the body
- Slender, laterally compressed build
- Large, prominent eyes for nocturnal foraging
- Blunt rounded head, not strongly distinct from neck
- Ring pattern (rather than blotches) is the key distinguishing feature from congeners
Habitat & range
Found in humid lowland and premontane rainforest across Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, often near watercourses with dense vegetation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, slow-moving, and specialized for extracting snails and slugs from their shells. Semi-arboreal, foraging in low shrubs and leaf litter. Egg-laying reproduction.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ringed Snail-eater the same as the Variegated Snail-eater?
Yes, both common names refer to Sibon annulatus.
Is it dangerous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and harmless.
What is distinctive about its pattern?
It has complete rings of color encircling the body, rather than blotches.
What does it feed on?
Snails and slugs.
Ringed Snail-eater guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Ringed Snail-eater.
