Snake FinderField Guide · Worldwide

Colubridae

Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer

Harmless

Eirenis medus

Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer
Eirenis medus, Omid Mozaffari / Wikimedia Commons

The Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer (Eirenis medus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.

Family
Colubridae

About the Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer

Eirenis medus is a species of nonvenomous dwarf snake from the family Colubridae. Its common names include Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer, Turkmen Dwarf Snake, and Striped Dwarf Snake. It is commonly found under rocks in semi-deserts and canyons throughout Iran and southern Turkmenistan at altitudes between 1100–1600 m above sea level. It is insectivorous along with eating small lizards and other arthropods.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer

Is the Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer venomous?
No. The Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer (Eirenis medus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer dangerous?
The Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer live?
The Ashkhabad Dwarf Racer has verified records in 4 countries, including Iraq, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Turkmenistan. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Eirenis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Eirenis medus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.