Colubridae
Black-headed Royal Snake
HarmlessSpalerosophis atriceps
The Black-headed Royal Snake (Spalerosophis atriceps) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black-headed Royal Snake
Spalerosophis atriceps, the Black headed royal snake or Fischer's royal snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Geographic range
S. atriceps is found in northwestern India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
The type locality given in the original description is "Himalaya ".
Habitat
The preferred habitats of S. atriceps are deserts, rocky areas, and scrub forest.
Description
S. atriceps may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2 m (6.6 ft). Dorsally, it is pale orange, pink, or yellow, with scattered black flecks. The dorsal surface of the head is either entirely black or black and deep red. The sides of the head and the nape of the neck are deep red. Ventrally, it is pinkish.
Behavior
S. atriceps is nocturnal.
Reproduction
S. atriceps is oviparous. In India, the adult female lays a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs in October. The eggs are 56–78 mm (2.2–3.1 in) long by 16–27 mm (0.63–1.06 in) wide.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black-headed Royal Snake
- Is the Black-headed Royal Snake venomous?
- No. The Black-headed Royal Snake (Spalerosophis atriceps) 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 Royal Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-headed Royal Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black-headed Royal Snake dangerous?
- The Black-headed Royal 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 Royal Snake live?
- The Black-headed Royal Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including India, Pakistan, United States of America. 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
- Spalerosophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Spalerosophis atriceps
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.