Is the Captain’s Wood Snake venomous?

No. The Captain’s Wood Snake (Xylophis captaini) 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 Captain’s Wood Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Captain’s Wood Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Captain’s Wood Snake dangerous?

The Captain’s Wood Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Captain’s Wood Snake live?

The Captain’s Wood Snake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Pareidae

Captain’s Wood Snake

Harmless

Xylophis captaini

The Captain’s Wood Snake (Xylophis captaini) is a non-venomous snake in the Pareidae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family: Pareidae

About the Captain’s Wood Snake

Captain's wood snake (Xylophis captaini), also known commonly as Captain's xylophis, is a species of snake in the family Pareidae. The species is endemic to India.

Geographic range

The holotype of X. captaini is from Kanam, Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala and was found in 2000. Captain's wood snake has been recorded at low altitudes on the western side of the southern part of the Western Ghats, south of the Palakkad Gap.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of X. captaini is forest at altitudes from sea level to 300 m (980 ft), but it has also been found in disturbed areas such as plantations.

Description

A small species of snake, X. captaini does not exceed 20 cm (7.9 in) in total length (including tail).

Behavior

X. captaini is nocturnal, and burrows in leaf litter, humus, and soil to a depth of 10 cm (3.9 in). The species is non-venomous.

Diet

X. captaini preys predominantly on earthworms.

Reproduction

X. captaini is oviparous.

Etymology

The specific name, captaini, and the common names, Captain's wood snake and Captain's xylophis, are in honor of Indian herpetologist Ashok Captain for his work on Indian snakes.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Captain’s Wood Snake

Is the Captain’s Wood Snake venomous?: No. The Captain’s Wood Snake (Xylophis captaini) 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 Captain’s Wood Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Captain’s Wood Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Captain’s Wood Snake dangerous?: The Captain’s Wood Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Captain’s Wood Snake live?: The Captain’s Wood Snake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Captain’s Wood Snake eat?: X. captaini preys predominantly on earthworms.
Why is it called the Captain’s Wood Snake?: The specific name, captaini, and the common names, Captain's wood snake and Captain's xylophis, are in honor of Indian herpetologist Ashok Captain for his work on Indian snakes.

Where it is found

India

More Pareidae 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: Pareidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Xylophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Xylophis captaini

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.