Colubridae
Banded Racer
HarmlessPlatyceps plinii
The Banded Racer (Platyceps plinii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Banded Racer
Platyceps plinii, commonly known as Banded racer or Merrem’s racer, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
The snake is found in Asia.
Descriptionː
Body is reddish to grayish brown. Lower sides of scales dark. Adults uniColour, indistinct
light grayish crossbars on anterior part of body in juveniles, ventrum cream.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Banded Racer
- Is the Banded Racer venomous?
- No. The Banded Racer (Platyceps plinii) 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 Banded Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Banded Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Banded Racer dangerous?
- The Banded Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Banded Racer live?
- The Banded Racer has verified records in 3 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. 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
- Platyceps
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Platyceps plinii
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.