Dipsadinae are an ecologically and morphologically diverse group of mostly small to moderate-sized snakes, typically less than 80 cm (31 in) in total length. Some are arboreal, but others are aquatic or terrestrial and may even burrow. Most are oviparous.[9] Many eat frogs or lizards, and some consume mammals and birds. Several genera (e.g. Adelphicos, Atractus, Geophis, Dipsas, Ninia, Sibon, Sibynomorphus, Tropidodipsas) are specialized feeders on gooey and slimy prey, such as frog eggs, earthworms, snails, and slugs.[10][11][12][13][14] Almost all species are completely harmless to humans, although a few genera (e.g. Borikenophis, Cubophis, Heterodon, Hydrodynastes, Philodryas) have inflicted painful bites with local, non-life-threatening symptoms.[15]
^ abUetz, Peter. "Dipsadinae". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
^Cite error: The named reference Grazziotin et al. 2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abCite error: The named reference VittCaldwell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Ray, J. M.; Montgomery, C. E.; Mahon, H. K.; Savitzky, A. H.; Lips, K. R. (2012). "Goo-eaters: diets of the neotropical snakes Dipsas and Sibon in Central Panama". Copeia. 2012 (2): 197–202. doi:10.1643/CH-10-100. S2CID86226277.
^de Oliveira, L.; Jared, C.; da Costa Prudente, A. L.; Zaher, H.; Antoniazzi, M. M. (2008). "Oral glands in dipsadine "goo-eater" snakes: morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands in Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica, and Sibynomorphus mikanii". Toxicon. 51 (5): 898–913. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.12.021. PMID18262581.
^Weinstein, S. A.; Warrell, D. A.; White, J.; Keyler, D. E. (2011). Venomous bites from non-venomous snakes: A critical analysis of risk and management of "colubrid" snake bites. London: Elsevier.