Home
SEE TRIPS
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Flora & Fauna
  3. Reptile

Zopilota

Zopilota (Clelia clelia)Spanish Name: Zopilota or Mussurana

Zopilota
Zopilota
Zopilota
Zopilota
←→
  • Sightings

  • La Selva Biological Station
    Corcovado National Park
    Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

    Habitat
    This snake is common among lowland habitats including disturbed zones, secondary forest, dry, moist, and wet forest. It may be found in adjacent premontane moist forest.

    Range
    Clelia clelia lives on the Pacific slope from southern Mexico to Argentina, and on the Atlantic slope from Guatemala to Argentina.

    Physical Description
    An important snake, the zopilota looks like a different species when it is young. Juveniles have a solid red body and tail with a pale collar beneath the black head. With this brighter coloration some people expect them to be poisonous, so the juvenile has acquired the extra nickname of Vibora de Sangre (“Blood Snake”). These become large, grey to bluish black adults with black eyes, a pale underside, and scattered darker areas where the underside meets the upper coloration.

    Biology and Natural History
    This strong, large snake is not feared among Costa Ricans—in fact, it is appreciated. The zopilota eats other snakes, including dangerous pit vipers. The potent fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) is an ordinary food item for the zopilota, who apparently is immune to the venom of other snakes.

    Employing an unusual, combined strategy, this animal attacks prey using both venom and constriction. Its grooved fangs are in the back of its mouth and the venom does not act quickly, so the zopilota will hold its prey behind the head and while it injects venom into the neck, also coils its body around the other snake. The prey is immobilized by the venom but actually killed by constriction. The zopilota has probably evolved to use both tactics because other strong, large snakes are difficult to grasp while venom runs its course.

    Clelia clelia has venom and behavior not well-suited to posing a threat to humans. This snake tends to calm down while it is held and rarely tries to strike in self-defense. Even if it were aggressive, with rear fangs it would be difficult for the zopilota to inject venom without taking a little time to chew.

    This snake is common on the forest floors in Costa Rica and hunts for other snakes during the night. Occasionally it is also active during the day.

    Diet
    Sometimes breaking pattern to eat lizards or mammals, the zopilota usually eats other snake species. Atropoides, Bothrops, Crotalus, and Porthidium are common victims.

    Height/Weight
    This large snake can reach a total length of 2.6 m. Females are longer than males.

    Taxonomy
    Order: Squamata
    Family: Colubridae

    Sources
    Leenders, Twan. A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. Zona Tropical, S.A, Miami, FL, 2001.

    Savage, Jay M. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between two Continents, between Two Seas. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2002.

    Savage, J. M., N. J. Scott, and D. C. Robinson in: Janzen, Daniel H. Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983.

    Scott, N. J. in: Janzen, Daniel H. Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983.

    -Amy Strieter, Wildlife Writer

  • Similar Profiles

  • Leatherback Turtle
    Spectacled Caiman
    Green Turtle
    Spiny Green Lizard
    Narrow-headed Vine Snake
    Ground Anole
    Fer-de-Lance
    Green Iguana
    Hawksbill Sea Turtle
    Loggerhead Sea Turtle
    American Crocodile
    Boa Constrictor
    Common Basilisk
    Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
    Black Ctenosaur
    Central American Bushmaster, Reptile - Vertebrate
    House Gecko
    Excellent!
    Trustpilot Rating
    Based on 528 reviews
    Trustpilot
    Best way to travel!
    I trusted Harold from Anywhere.com to plan my family's vacation. Harold went above and beyond in making sure that our tr...
    Oct 04, 2021
    – Shivani P.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Profesionalism at its Best
    My experience with Anywhere.com in Costa Rica was perfection. All of the drivers were punctual and pleasant; and all of ...
    Aug 02, 2021
    – Natasha I.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere is OUTSTANDING!
    My family & I have used Anywhere to organize 3 vacations- Costa Rica, Peru, & now Ecuador. I would not hesitate to use t...
    Jul 29, 2021
    – Kara V.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Awesome vacation, everything went smoothly
    Our agent (Erick) planned a great trip for our family of 5. All the tours were excellent, all the transport and lodging ...
    Mar 17, 2020
    – David
    Trustpilot Rating
    Everything Anywhere said they would do…
    Everything Anywhere said they would do they did. Very professional and friendly staff.
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Darrell
    Trustpilot Rating
    We were very reassured in constructing…
    We were very reassured in constructing our trip using Anywhere.com as the team responded promptly to our questions in a ...
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Michael
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service!
    Great service!
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Kyle K
    Trustpilot Rating
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Jerry Pos.
    Trustpilot Rating
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time…
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time before our departure to provide an itineary based on what we already researched a...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Thomas hi.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with. They made booking my transfers a pleasant experience. And I even had some last ...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Ashley Ba.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Perfectly planned
    Perfectly planned. The trip went off with all (5) transfers on time and all our accommodations meeting or exceeding our...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – John C.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service and letting me know all…
    Great service and letting me know all the options.
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Sridhar R.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING…
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING trip. Our rides were always there and we didn't have to worry about anything. We ...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – Jennifer
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere made the trip very easy
    Anywhere made the trip very easy. Everything was arranged for us and all we had to do was show up for whatever tour or t...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – CJ Follet.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Two Wonderful Trips!!
    My husband and I have taken two trips with Anywhere. We were thrilled with their services both times. There is such pers...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – FAITH HOF.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Costa Rica Vacations
    • Adventure
    • All-inclusive
    • Beach
    • Budget
    • Eco-tourism
    • Family
    • Group
    • Honeymoon
    • Luxury
    • Nature
    • Private
    • Rainforest
    • Romantic
    Highlights
    • Top Destinations
    • Beaches
    • Rainforests
    • Cloudforest
    • Volcanoes
    • Waterfalls
    • Surfing
    • Leisure
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Airports
    Costa Rica Travel
    • Maps
    • Safety
    • Weather & Climate
    • Sustainability
    • Holiday Season
    • Currency
    • Driving & Car Rental
    • Getting Around
    PLACES TO GO
    • Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
    • Monteverde Cloudforests
    • Manuel Antonio Beach & Jungle
    • Tamarindo Beach
    • Santa Theresa & Malpais Beaches
    • Puerto Viejo Beach
    • Nosara Beach
    • Jaco Beach
    • Tortuguero Rainforest
    • Corcovado Rainforest
    • Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & Waterfall
    • Nicoya Peninsula
    • Guanacaste Beaches
    • Osa Peninsula
    THINGS TO DO
    • Hot Springs
    • Zip Lines
    • Suspension Bridges
    • Horseback
    • Rappel
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking
    • Chocolate Farms
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Coffee Farms
    • Butterfly Gardens
    • Surfing
    • Sport Fishing
    • Birdwatching
    • Scuba Diving
    • Catamaran Cruise
    • Indigenous Culture
    • Yoga
    • Wellness
    • Cave Exploration
    Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
    Trustpilot "Excellent"
    Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
    MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

    © 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy