Forest Flame Snake

Oxyrhopus petolarius

Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassSquamata
FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
GenusOxyrhopus
SpeciesOxyrhopus petolarius (Forest Flame Snake)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Cahuita National Park

1 Verified sightings at Cahuita National Park From 2019 to 2026

136 Verified sightings across all 27 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted Active throughout day and night

About the Forest Flame Snake

Oxyrhopus petolarius, commonly known as the forest flame snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central and South America. There are three recognized subspecies.

According to American herpetologist Jay M. Savage (2011) the correct scientific name should be Oxyrhopus petolarius. Oxyrhopus petolarius is found in central and northern South America, including Trinidad and Tobago. The preferred natural habitats of Oxyrhopus petolarius are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Adults of Oxyrhopus petolarius may attain a total length of 91 cm (36 in), which includes a tail 22 cm (8.7 in) long. Coloration is variable. It usually consists of some combination of red and black rings or crossbands. In some individuals the light-colored crossbands are white instead of red on the anterior part of the body.

The dorsal scales are smooth, with apical pits, and are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Oxyrhopus petolarius is rear-fanged, and its venom is extremely toxic to anole lizards. ��2... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Cahuita National Park

Oxybelis koehleri

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Imantodes cenchoa

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Leptodeira ornata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Leptophis nebulosus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Dipsas articulata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Sibon nebulatus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Sibon annulatus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Oxybelis brevirostris

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Phrynonax poecilonotus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Chironius flavopictus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Drymobius margaritiferus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Scaphiodontophis venustissimus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Tenorio Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
2	Farallones de Cali National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~20%
3	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
4	Tambopata National Reserve	🇵🇪 Peru	~10%
5	Manu National Park	🇵🇪 Peru	~10%
6	Braulio Carrillo National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
7	Yasuní National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	~10%
8	Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve	🇪🇨 Ecuador	~10%
9	Iguazú National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	~10%
10	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
11	Cordillera Azul National Park	🇵🇪 Peru	Insufficient data
12	Pico Bonito National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
13	Serra da Canastra National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
14	Piedras Blancas National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
15	Podocarpus National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	Insufficient data
16	Henri Pittier National Park	🇻🇪 Venezuela	Insufficient data
17	Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
18	Chagres National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
19	Marino Ballena National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
20	Amacayacu National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	Insufficient data
21	Machalilla National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	Insufficient data
22	Iguaçu National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
23	Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
24	Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
25	Cahuita National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
26	Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
27	Corcovado National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data

← Back to Cahuita National Park

Forest Flame Snake

About the Forest Flame Snake

Recent sightings of Forest Flame Snake in Cahuita National Park

Closest Relatives at Cahuita National Park

Köhler’s Vine Snake

Blunthead Tree Snake

Ornate Cat-eyed Snake

Oliver's Parrot Snake

American Snail-eater

Cloudy Snail-eating Snake

Ringed Snail Sucker

Cope's Vine Snake

Puffing Snake

Werner's Sipo

Speckled Racer

Common Neckband Snake

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found