Colubridae
Black Copper Rat Snake
HarmlessCoelognathus flavolineatus






6 photographs of the Black Copper Rat Snake. © Kai Squires.
The Black Copper Rat Snake (Coelognathus flavolineatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black Copper Rat Snake
Coelognathus flavolineatus, the black copper rat snake or yellow striped snake, is a species of colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia. This species was previously recognized in the genus Elaphe.
Distribution
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
India (Andaman Is.)
Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Bali)
Malaysia
Myanmar
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black Copper Rat Snake
- Is the Black Copper Rat Snake venomous?
- No. The Black Copper Rat Snake (Coelognathus flavolineatus) 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 Black Copper Rat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Copper Rat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black Copper Rat Snake dangerous?
- The Black Copper Rat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black Copper Rat Snake live?
- The Black Copper Rat Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Copperhead Rat SnakeCoelognathus radiatus
Trinket SnakeCoelognathus helena
Reddish Rat SnakeCoelognathus erythrurus
Sunda Rat SnakeCoelognathus subradiatus
Palawan rat snakeCoelognathus philippinus
Enggano Rat SnakeCoelognathus enganensis
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
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
- Coelognathus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Coelognathus flavolineatus
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.