Colubridae
Blanford's Bridle Snake
HarmlessLycodon davisonii
6 photographs of the Blanford's Bridle Snake. © Thomas Galewski.
The Blanford's Bridle Snake (Lycodon davisonii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Blanford's Bridle Snake
Blanford's bridle snake (Lycodon davisonii), also known commonly as Blanford's bridal snake, is a species of harmless snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. Blanford's bridle snake is so named because its slim body resembles the bridle used to control horses.
Geographic range
L. davisonii is found in Cambodia, southern China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Etymology
The specific name, davisonii, is in honor of British ornithologist William Ruxton Davison.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of L. davisonii is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
Behavior
L. davisonii is terrestrial, semiarboreal, and nocturnal.
Diet
L. davisonii preys upon geckos and other small vertebrates.
Reproduction
L. davisonii is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Blanford's Bridle Snake
- Is the Blanford's Bridle Snake venomous?
- No. The Blanford's Bridle Snake (Lycodon davisonii) 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 Blanford's Bridle Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Blanford's Bridle Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Blanford's Bridle Snake dangerous?
- The Blanford's Bridle Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Blanford's Bridle Snake live?
- The Blanford's Bridle Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Blanford's Bridle Snake eat?
- L. davisonii preys upon geckos and other small vertebrates.
- Why is it called the Blanford's Bridle Snake?
- The specific name, davisonii, is in honor of British ornithologist William Ruxton Davison.
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
- Lycodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lycodon davisonii
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.