Black-headed Collared Snake

About the Black-headed Collared Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black-headed Collared Snake

Is the Black-headed Collared Snake venomous?

No. The Black-headed Collared Snake (Sibynophis melanocephalus) 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-headed Collared Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-headed Collared Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Black-headed Collared Snake dangerous?

The Black-headed Collared Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Black-headed Collared Snake live?

The Black-headed Collared Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Chinese Many-tooth Snake
  Sibynophis chinensis
• 
  Black-headed snake
  Sibynophis subpunctatus
• 
  Collared Black-headed Snake
  Sibynophis collaris
• 
  Boie's Many-tooth Snake
  Sibynophis geminatus
• 
  Triangle Many-tooth Snake
  Sibynophis triangularis
• 
  Sibynophis grahami
  Sibynophis grahami
• 
  Cantor’s black-headed snake
  Sibynophis sagittarius
• 
  Günther's Many-tooth Snake
  Sibynophis bistrigatus

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

Sibynophis

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

Sibynophis melanocephalus

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.