Is the Barred keelback venomous?

No. The Barred keelback (Tropidonophis doriae) 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 Barred keelback poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Barred keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Barred keelback dangerous?

The Barred keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Barred keelback live?

The Barred keelback has verified records in 2 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Barred keelback

Harmless

Tropidonophis doriae

Barred keelback — Tropidonophis doriae, © Alexander A. Fomichev

3 photographs of the Barred keelback. © Alexander A. Fomichev.

The Barred keelback (Tropidonophis doriae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Barred keelback

Tropidonophis doriae, commonly known as the barred keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to New Guinea and some nearby islands.

Etymology

The specific name, doriae, commemorates Italian naturalist Giacomo Doria.

Geographic range

Tropidonophis doriae can be found in the Aru Islands (Maluku province, Indonesia) and in New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and West Papua).

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Tropidonophis doriae is forest near streams, at altitudes from sea level to 1,545 m (5,069 ft).

Diet

Tropidonophis doriae preys upon frogs, including their eggs and tadpoles, and on fishes.

Reproduction

Tropidonophis doriae is oviparous. Clutch size is 2–8 eggs.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Barred keelback

Is the Barred keelback venomous?: No. The Barred keelback (Tropidonophis doriae) 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 Barred keelback poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Barred keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Barred keelback dangerous?: The Barred keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Barred keelback live?: The Barred keelback has verified records in 2 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Barred keelback eat?: Tropidonophis doriae preys upon frogs, including their eggs and tadpoles, and on fishes.
Why is it called the Barred keelback?: The specific name, doriae, commemorates Italian naturalist Giacomo Doria.

Where it is found

Papua New Guinea Indonesia

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: Tropidonophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Tropidonophis doriae

Keep learning

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