Wildlife: A Cat-Eyed Snake Is Seen Dwelling During The Night In The Northern Jungles Of Guatemala Stock Image

A Cat-Eyed Snake Leptodeira posticta is seen sliding through the brush in Nakum Archaeological site, in the northern jungles of Peten, in Guatemala. Leptodeira is a genus of colubrid snakes common referred to as cat-eyed snakes. The genus consists of 12 species that are native to primari Mexico and Central America, but range as far north as the southern tip of Texas in United States and as far south as Argentina in South America. This snake is a species of medium-sized, mild venomous, colubrid snake endemic to the New World. Additional common names include: cat-eyed night snake, come sapo, culebra de pantano, culebra destenida, machete savane, mapana de agua, mapana tigre, and ranera. It is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America, including the offshore islands of Margarita, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has a pair of enlarged, grooved teeth at the rear of each upper jaw maxilla, and produces a mild venom. The venom affects the snake`s natural prey main small frogs and small lizards. The snake tends not to bite humans when handled, but when it does, the venom has relative mild effects in most individuals some describe it as a slight irritating/itching sensation with slight swelling. The snake is not considered a risk to human health. It preys on frogs, frog eggs, salamanders, and small reptiles such as lizards. It may also feed on fledgling birds.