Colubridae
Black-striped Snake
HarmlessConiophanes imperialis






6 photographs of the Black-striped Snake. © Luis Mora.
The Black-striped Snake (Coniophanes imperialis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black-striped Snake
Coniophanes imperialis, the black-striped snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Texas in the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black-striped Snake
- Is the Black-striped Snake venomous?
- No. The Black-striped Snake (Coniophanes imperialis) 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-striped Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-striped Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black-striped Snake dangerous?
- The Black-striped Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black-striped Snake live?
- The Black-striped Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Mexico, United States of America, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
More Colubridae snakes
Brown Spotbelly SnakeConiophanes fissidens
Faded Black-striped SnakeConiophanes schmidti
Sooty Black-striped SnakeConiophanes piceivittis
Peninsula Stripeless SnakeConiophanes meridanus
Peters' Running SnakeConiophanes dromiciformis
Two-spotted SnakeConiophanes bipunctatus
Stripeless SnakeConiophanes lateritius
Five-striped SnakeConiophanes quinquevittatus
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
- Coniophanes
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Coniophanes imperialis
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.