Black-lipped Groundsnake

About the Black-lipped Groundsnake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black-lipped Groundsnake

Is the Black-lipped Groundsnake venomous?

No. The Black-lipped Groundsnake (Stegonotus melanolabiatus) 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-lipped Groundsnake poisonous?

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

Is the Black-lipped Groundsnake dangerous?

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

Where does the Black-lipped Groundsnake live?

The Black-lipped Groundsnake has verified records in 1 country, including Papua New Guinea. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Slaty-grey snake
  Stegonotus australis
• 
  Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake
  Stegonotus caligocephalus
• 
  Rainbow Groundsnake
  Stegonotus iridis
• 
  Batjan Frog-eating Snake
  Stegonotus batjanensis
• 
  Muller's Wolf Snake
  Stegonotus muelleri
• 
  De Rooij's Groundsnake
  Stegonotus derooijae
• 
  Reticulated Slaty Snake
  Stegonotus reticulatus
• 
  Bird's Head Peninsula Groundsnake
  Stegonotus cucullatus

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

Stegonotus

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

Stegonotus melanolabiatus

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.