Colubridae
Butler's Wolf Snake
HarmlessLycodon butleri
6 photographs of the Butler's Wolf Snake. © Cheongweei Gan.
The Butler's Wolf Snake (Lycodon butleri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Butler's Wolf Snake
Lycodon butleri, also known commonly as Butler's wolf snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia.
Etymology
Lycodon butleri is named after British zoologist Arthur Lennox Butler (1873–1939), the Curator of the Selangor State Museum.
Reproduction
Lycodon butleri is oviparous (egg-laying).
Phylogeny
Lycodon butleri is a member of the genus Lycodon, a genus of snakes commonly known as wolf snakes. The genus belongs to the snake family Colubridae, the largest snake family, with member species being found on every continent except Antarctica.
Habitat and ecology
L. butleri is a terrestrial species, found in montane forests at elevations between 1,100 and 1,500 m (3,600 and 4,900 ft) above sea-level. It is partly arboreal.
Geographic range
L. butleri has been recorded from the province of Krabi in southern Thailand, as well as from peninsular Malaysia.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers Lycodon butleri to be a species of "Least Concern", based on a 2011 survey. The species faces no major threats, and no population trends are known. No species-specific conservation policies exist for this snake, but its range includes several protected areas.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Butler's Wolf Snake
- Is the Butler's Wolf Snake venomous?
- No. The Butler's Wolf Snake (Lycodon butleri) 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 Butler's Wolf Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Butler's Wolf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Butler's Wolf Snake dangerous?
- The Butler's Wolf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Butler's Wolf Snake live?
- The Butler's Wolf Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Butler's Wolf Snake?
- Lycodon butleri is named after British zoologist Arthur Lennox Butler (1873–1939), the Curator of the Selangor State Museum.
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 butleri
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.