Colubridae
Bicolored Swamp Snake
HarmlessLimnophis bicolor

The Bicolored Swamp Snake (Limnophis bicolor) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Bicolored Swamp Snake
The bicolored swamp snake also known as the striped swamp snake is a species of African venomous snake. It is the type species of the genus Limnophis. Its back is black with a white underbelly.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Bicolored Swamp Snake
- Is the Bicolored Swamp Snake venomous?
- No. The Bicolored Swamp Snake (Limnophis bicolor) 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 Bicolored Swamp Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bicolored Swamp Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Bicolored Swamp Snake dangerous?
- The Bicolored Swamp Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Bicolored Swamp Snake live?
- The Bicolored Swamp Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Angola, Zambia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Bangweulu Water SnakeLimnophis bangweolicus
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
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
- Limnophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Limnophis bicolor
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.