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Colubridae

Assam Mountain Snake

Harmless

Plagiopholis nuchalis

Assam Mountain Snake
Plagiopholis nuchalis, © Ian Dugdale
Assam Mountain SnakeAssam Mountain SnakeAssam Mountain SnakeAssam Mountain SnakeAssam Mountain Snake

6 photographs of the Assam Mountain Snake. © Ian Dugdale.

The Assam Mountain Snake (Plagiopholis nuchalis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.

Family
Colubridae

About the Assam Mountain Snake

Plagiopholis nuchalis, commonly known as the Assam mountain snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.

Geographic range

P. nuchalis is found in China (Yunnan), Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. It may possibly also be found in India (Assam) and Vietnam.

Description

A small snake, P. nuchalis may attain a total length of 45 cm (18 in), which includes a tail 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long. Dorsally it is blackish brown, with many of the dorsal scales edged with black. On the neck there is a broad black chevron, pointing forward, to which the specific name, nuchalis, refers. Ventrally it is yellowish, marked with black.

Reproduction

P. nuchalis is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Assam Mountain Snake

Is the Assam Mountain Snake venomous?
No. The Assam Mountain Snake (Plagiopholis nuchalis) 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 Assam Mountain Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Assam Mountain Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Assam Mountain Snake dangerous?
The Assam Mountain Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Assam Mountain Snake live?
The Assam Mountain Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, China. 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
Plagiopholis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Plagiopholis nuchalis

Keep learning

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