Snakes In Belize: What You Need To Know

Belize is home to a wide variety of snakes, with estimates of the number of species ranging from 19 to over 56. While most of these snakes are more annoying than dangerous, it's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with snake bites, especially when exploring the country's jungles and forests. The country's pristine topography and diverse habitats, including swamps, marshes, and tropical forests, provide sanctuary to both benign and venomous snakes. From the colourful Central American Coral Snake to the elusive Maya Coral Snake, Belize's snake population is an intriguing and fascinating aspect of its natural history.

Dangerous snakes in Belize

Belize is home to a large variety of snakes, with over 56 species of snakes found in the country. While most snakes are harmless, there are several species that are considered dangerous to humans due to their venomous bites. Here is a list of some of the most dangerous snakes found in Belize:

• Central American Coral Snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus): This snake, also known as the "mild-tempered" snake, is probably the most common coral snake found in Central America. It has a unique attack style, employing a chewing motion to inject its toxic venom into its victim. It is easily identifiable by its colourful yellow, black, and red bands.
• Maya Coral Snake (Micrurus hippocrepis): The Maya Coral Snake is a close relative of the Central American Coral Snake and is known for its vivid colours. It is nocturnal and feeds primarily on other snakes. Its neurotoxic venom is considered the most dangerous in Belize.
• Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii): The Eyelash Viper is a non-aggressive snake that is typically found in the trees of Belize. It has two eyelash-like scales above each eye and its colouration varies from olive green to brown and yellow, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings.
• Fer de Lance (Tommy Goff; Yellowjaw) (Bothrops asper): The Fer de Lance is considered the most feared snake in Central America due to its aggressive nature and fast-acting venom. It is hard to spot and is known to strike if disturbed. It is responsible for a majority of snake bite deaths in the region.
• Hognose Viper (Rhino Viper) (Porthidium nasutum): The Hognose Viper, also known as the Rhino Viper, is characterised by its distinct upturned snout. It is a small viper, typically no longer than 18 inches in length, but it injects a strong hemotoxic venom that can be deadly.
• Jumping Viper (Atropoides nummifer): The Jumping Viper has a stocky body with dark brown or black blotches. It is a nocturnal snake that feeds on frogs, rodents, and lizards. It is often found hiding under forest floor debris, making it difficult to spot.
• Mexican Moccasin (Cantil) (Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus): The Mexican Moccasin is a heavy-bodied snake with a thick, dark body and thin white banding. It is known for its nasty disposition and is considered extremely dangerous. Its bite delivers a fast-acting hemotoxic venom that can quickly incapacitate its victims.
• Neotropical Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus): This is the only rattlesnake species indigenous to Belize. It is often found in swamps and marshes, and its bite can be fatal due to the powerful neurotoxin venom it injects, which causes respiratory failure.

While these are some of the most dangerous snakes in Belize, it is important to remember that most snakes are not aggressive and will only bite if stepped on or threatened. However, it is always best to exercise caution and respect when encountering any snake in the wild.

Snakes found in rainforests

Belize is home to a wide variety of snakes, with estimates of the number of species in the country ranging from 56 to over 100. The nation's rainforests are home to many of these species, including:

Rainforest Hog-Nosed Viper

Also known as the Hognosed Pit Viper, this highly venomous snake grows to between 40 and 60 cm in length, with females typically larger than males. Its body is stout, with a triangular-shaped head, a short, thin tail, and an upturned snout. Its colouring is shades of brown with cream and dark brown rectangular marks on its back, helping it to camouflage in the rainforest foliage. It is a nocturnal species, hunting frogs, lizards, small mammals, small birds, and other snakes at night.

Common Blunt-Headed Tree Snake

This small, cartoonish snake, with its slender body, narrow neck, and large head, slithers among the low vegetation in rainforests. It has brown and black patches along its body and unusually large eyes with vertical slit pupils, giving it better vision than other snakes. It is most active at night, feeding on sleeping lizards, amphibians, and reptile eggs. During the day, it can often be found coiled and resting on vines and bushes. It has mild venom and a docile nature, so it poses no danger to humans.

Central American Boa

The Central American Boa, also known as the Boa Constrictor Imperator or Common Northern Boa, is one of the most territorial snakes in Belize. It can grow to between 130 and 250 cm in length, with females larger than males. It has a dark streak extending from its eyes to the back of its jaws and brown and black patches along its body. It prefers humid rainforests but can also inhabit drier environments like savannas. It is a stealthy, slow-moving hunter, ambushing birds, lizards, and small mammals at dusk. It is not venomous but will deliver a painful bite.

Neotropical Whip Snake

The Neotropical Whip Snake, also known as Sabanera, can grow to between 180 and 252 cm in length. Its colouring is off-white, brown, or grey, with transverse blotches and dark, narrow stripes across its body. Its eyes are light brown or golden. It prefers open areas such as forest edges, savannas, mangroves, and beaches. It is non-venomous but will bite if disturbed.

Eyelash Viper

The Eyelash Viper, also known as the Eyelash Pit Viper or Schlegel's Viper, can grow to between 55 and 82 cm in length. It has a broad, triangular head and colourful scales, including bright yellow, green, orange, or pink, with dark speckles. It is typically found in forests and woodlands and is a nocturnal hunter. It is a non-aggressive species but will strike in defence if threatened. Its bite can be very painful.

Belize's rainforests are home to a diverse array of snakes, ranging from small, harmless species like the Common Blunt-Headed Tree Snake to larger, highly venomous varieties like the Rainforest Hog-Nosed Viper. While some of these snakes may pose a danger to humans, others play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the rainforest ecosystem.

Snakes found in swamps and marshes

There are a plethora of snakes in Belize, with estimates ranging from 56 species to many more. While most are harmless, some are extremely dangerous and venomous. Here is a guide to the snakes found in the swamps and marshes of Belize:

Central American Milksnake

The Central American Milksnake (Lampropeltis abnorma) is a common species found in forested regions, prairies, swamps, farmland, and rocky slopes. They have smooth and shiny scales with alternating bands of red, black, and yellow or white. These snakes are usually nocturnal, especially during the summer. They are non-venomous and docile, making them popular pets.

Neotropical rattlesnake

The Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) is the only rattlesnake species indigenous to Belize. They are often found in swamps and marshes but can also be found in southern Canada and Argentina. Their attack can be fatal, as they release a powerful neurotoxin that causes respiratory failure.

Speckled Racers

Speckled Racers (Drymobius margaritiferus) are highly adaptable and can be found in various environments, including forest edges, savannahs, humid lowlands, marshlands, forests, clearings, and even roadsides. They have black colouring with blue and yellow spots inside each scale. While non-venomous, they are very aggressive, fast, and agile, and will bite if they feel threatened.

Central American Coral Snake

The Central American Coral Snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus) is a mild-tempered snake that is commonly found in forests and jungles. They have distinctive yellow, black, and red bands and can reach up to 45 inches in length. Unlike vipers, they employ a chewing motion to inject their toxic venom.

Neotropical Whip Snake

The Neotropical Whip Snake (Masticophis mentovarius) is often found in open areas such as forest edges, savannas, mangroves, and beaches. They have off-white, brown, or gray colouring with dark, narrow stripes. While non-venomous, they are known to bite if disturbed. They are incredibly fast and highly alert hunters, specialising in lizards, snakes, and small mammals.

When exploring the swamps and marshes of Belize, it is important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings to avoid any potential snake encounters.

Snakes found in human settlements

Belize is home to a diverse range of snakes, with over 50 species found in the country. While most snakes are more of a nuisance than a danger, some species pose a significant threat to humans. It is important to be able to identify snakes and know how to respond in case of an encounter, especially since snakes are commonly found in human settlements. Here is a guide to some of the snakes that may be encountered in human settlements in Belize:

Mexican Parrot Snake

The Mexican Parrot Snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 172 cm (68 in) long. It has a slender body with shiny scales and large, yellow eyes. Its vivid colours, typically green and white on the abdomen with a yellow stripe across its body, make it a beautiful but potentially deadly creature. This snake is adaptable and can be found in tropical forests, agricultural areas, and near human settlements. It is an excellent climber and is often found in trees, but it is also a capable ground hunter. While non-aggressive, it will defend itself if disturbed, so it is important to keep a safe distance.

Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake

The Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake is a nocturnal species that prefers forests, clearings, and urbanised areas with nearby vegetation. As a result, it is not uncommon to find this snake in parks, backyards, and industrial areas in human settlements. Adults can grow up to 75 cm (30 in) long, with slender black bodies and white or yellow stripes. They have large eyes with elliptical pupils. While their venom is effective at killing prey, it is mild and not harmful to humans. They rarely bite, even when handled, preferring to wait for their release and then slither away.

Central American Milksnake

The Central American Milksnake is a non-venomous species that can be found in forested regions, prairies, swamps, farmland, and rocky slopes. They are primarily nocturnal, especially during the summer months. These snakes are migratory, moving to drier habitats in the winter and moist habitats in the summer. Adults can range from 36-183 cm (14-72 in) long, with smooth and shiny scales and alternating bands of red, black, yellow, or white. They are considered docile and are sometimes kept as pets.

Neotropical Whip Snake

The Neotropical Whip Snake is a non-venomous species that prefers open areas such as forest edges, savannas, mangroves, and beaches. They are mostly terrestrial but can also be found in trees and shrubs. Adults can grow to a length of 180-252 cm (6-8 ft), with off-white, brown, or grey colouring and dark, narrow stripes. They are known for their incredible speed and highly alert hunting style, preying on lizards, other snakes, and small mammals. While they are relatively low-risk to humans, they will bite if disturbed, so it is important to keep a safe distance.

Variable Coral Snake

The Variable Coral Snake is a venomous species that inhabits tropical, moist, and wet woods, as well as dry forests. They are shy and secretive, preferring to hunt at night and avoid human contact. Adults can grow to a length of 40-160 cm (16-63 in), with black colouring and yellow, red, and white bands. Their venom is dangerous, delivering neurotoxic venom through powerful fangs. While death from a Variable Coral Snake is rare, bites can cause weakness, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and swelling.

Central American Indigo Snake

The Central American Indigo Snake is a non-venomous species that prefers forests, especially areas with plenty of ground cover. Adults can grow to a length of 1.80-2.40 m (6-8 ft), with glossy olive-brown colouring that fades to black towards the tail. While they are highly predatory and opportunistic, they are more likely to flee or hide than confront humans. They pose little danger due to their lack of venom, but it is still important to give them space and respect.

In conclusion, while snakes can be found in human settlements in Belize, most species will only bite when provoked or threatened. It is important to be able to identify the snakes in your area, respect their space, and seek medical attention if bitten.

Myths about snakes in Belize

There are a plethora of snakes in Belize, with estimates ranging from 19 common species to over 56 species. While the majority of these snakes are more of a nuisance than a threat, there are still several venomous species that can be dangerous to humans.

Myth 1: Snake Doctors are Effective

In the past, the only cure for a poisonous snake bite in Belize was through a "Snake Doctor". While these practitioners used methods such as sweat houses and bitter mixtures, the truth is that herbal remedies have been proven ineffective against snake venom. Homeopathic treatments do not work because they do not enter the bloodstream, where the venom is present. Unfortunately, the only combatant against snake venom is anti-venom.

Myth 2: All Snakes are Dangerous

While it is true that some snakes in Belize are extremely dangerous, such as the Fer de Lance and the Neotropical Rattlesnake, the majority of snakes are not a threat to humans. In fact, many snakes are non-venomous and docile, such as the Red Coffee Snake and the Mexican Parrot Snake. Most snakes will only bite if stepped on or threatened and are content to be left alone.

Myth 3: All Coral Snakes are the Same

There are multiple species of coral snakes in Belize, including the Central American Coral Snake, the Maya Coral Snake, and the Variable Coral Snake. While all of these snakes are venomous and dangerous if threatened, they are typically shy and secretive, preferring to avoid humans. The Central American Coral Snake, in particular, is known for its mild-tempered nature.

Myth 4: All Vipers are Aggressive

Vipers are often associated with aggression and danger. While some vipers, such as the Fer de Lance, do live up to this reputation, others, like the Eyelash Viper, are non-aggressive and will only strike if threatened. Additionally, the Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper, despite being venomous and dangerous, is difficult to spot due to its nocturnal nature and camouflage.

Myth 5: All Snakes are Easy to Spot

Many snakes in Belize have camouflage patterns that allow them to blend into their surroundings. For example, the Speckled Racer, with its black, blue, and yellow spots, can be hard to spot despite its presence in various habitats. The Maya Coral Snake, known for its vivid colors, can also be challenging to see as it often moves under thick leaf litter.

Frequently asked questions