Parrot Snake

The parrot snake shows off bright green and bronze colors that cover its entire body.

They are often called non-venomous snakes, but the truth is a different story. Parrot snakes have very mild venom that sometimes causes local swelling and pain. They grow extremely long and slender, slipping through the trees after their prey.

5 Amazing Parrot Snake Facts

• The parrot snake is precocial, which means that it can start moving and caring for itself at birth.
• This species of slender snake is only found on land.
• Though some people have stated that the parrot snake is not venomous and is not poisonous, that is not true. Their venom is incredibly mild, and most people never need medical attention after a bite.
• There are ten subspecies of parrot snakes.
• The venom of the parrot snake is only poisonous enough to harm their prey, which is usually frogs, insects, or birds. Their venom is released for eating this prey as they hold it in place.

Evolution and Origins

Leptophis ahaetulla, which is often referred to as the lora or parrot snake, is a slender snake of medium size belonging to the Colubridae family. This snake species is found exclusively in Central America and the northern regions of South America.

Parrot snakes are typically restricted to Central America and South America, with their distribution spanning countries such as Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and others within this geographic region.

These snakes are particularly abundant in southern Mexico, which has led to them being colloquially referred to as Mexican snakes.

Where to Find Them

Parrot snakes tend to go no further than Central America and South America. They are often found in Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and other countries in this region. They thrive in southern Mexico, leading some people to refer to them as a Mexican snake.

They prefer a terrestrial habitat, which means they prefer land to sea. Their name is primarily determined by where they live.

Scientific Name

The parrot snake, which is also known as the lora snake, has the scientific name of Leptophis ahaetulla, which is Greek in origin. “Leptophis” comes from the words “leptus” (which means “delicate” or “thin”) and “ophis” (which means “snake”).
The class of the parrot snake is Reptilia, and it is from the Colubridae family. The Mexican snake is part of the same genus, but it is not a parrot snake under this category.

The 10 Different Types

There are 10 subspecies of parrot snakes, which include:
– Leptophis ahaetulla ahaetulla
– Leptophis ahaetulla bocourti.
– Leptophis ahaetulla bolivianus
– Leptophis ahaetulla chocoensis
– Leptophis ahaetulla liocercus
– Leptophis ahaetulla marginatus
– Leptophis ahaetulla nigromarginatus
– Leptophis ahaetulla occidentalis
– Leptophis ahaetulla ortonii
– Leptophis ahaetulla praestans

Though very little is known about the differences between the species, only a few of have specific names. Leptophis ahaetulla nigromarginatus, or the black-skinned parrot snake, is only found in South America. The Mexican parrot snake, which isn’t mentioned above, isn’t actually under the parrot snake subspecies, though it is still classified as a slender snake.

Population and Conservation Status

There is no official population of parrot snakes, but the IUCN Redlist suggests that the population is stable. They do not migrate, and they are of Least Concern in conservation efforts.

How to Identify: Appearance and Description

The parrot snake is incredibly colorful. Though all of this color normally is a sign to stay away, the Lora snake is relatively harmless. The body of the parrot snake can reach up to 23 inches long, and it is decorated with bronze, gold, and bright green hues.

Along the 15 rows of mid-body dorsal scales, users will see a bold black hue. The belly and upper lip, however, are either white or yellow.

With an elongated head, their yellow eyes are hard to miss.
How to identify a Parrot Snake:

• Bright green, bronze, or gold body with a yellow or white belly.
• 15 rows of black dorsal scales.
• Narrow head with yellow eyes.
• Up to 23 inches long.

Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

The lack of harm that the venom of the parrot snake is misleading. In fact, these snakes were previously thought to be non-venomous, but that isn’t the case. Their teeth are set back further in the head, making it hard for them to open up their mouth enough to bite someone.

If you manage to get bitten, the bite will feel minimal pain at the site. The venom is mild (at best), and it gives a pins-and-needles sensation. Typically, medical attention isn’t necessary because the pain goes away after a few hours. However, if you aren’t sure if this is the snake that bit you, check in with a doctor soon.

Behavior and Humans

Though the parrot snake is an aggressive hunter, it doesn’t provide much threat to humans. Even though their bite is not strong enough to cause any real harm, it is best to leave them alone as they are incredibly agile.

1. , Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptophis_ahaetulla
2. , Available here: https://www.braeunerd.com/not-all-snakes-are-created-equal/
3. , Available here: https://eol.org/pages/1056153
4. , Available here: https://animalia.bio/leptophis-ahaetulla
5. , Available here: http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Leptophis&species=ahaetulla