Colubridae
Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake
HarmlessPseudorabdion longiceps






6 photographs of the Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake. © Max Tibby.
The Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake (Pseudorabdion longiceps) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake
Pseudorabdion longiceps, the dwarf reed snake or Cantor's dwarf reed snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Behavior
Dwarf reed snakes have been filmed "cartwheeling" as an escape mechanism, superficially similar to the behavior of the legendary hoop snake.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake
- Is the Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake venomous?
- No. The Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake (Pseudorabdion longiceps) 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 Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake dangerous?
- The Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake live?
- The Cantor's Dwarf Reed Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common Collared SnakePseudorabdion collaris
White-collared Reed SnakePseudorabdion albonuchalis
Negros Light-scaled Burrowing SnakePseudorabdion oxycephalum
Zamboanga Burrowing SnakePseudorabdion ater
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer- No photoPseudorabdion saravacensePseudorabdion saravacense
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
- Pseudorabdion
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Pseudorabdion longiceps
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.