Colubridae
Chinese Mountain Snake
HarmlessPlagiopholis styani
The Chinese Mountain Snake (Plagiopholis styani) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Chinese Mountain Snake
Plagiopholis styani, also known by the common name Chinese mountain snake, is a species of colubrid snake. Its type locality is Kuatun (Guadun in modern spelling: Chinese: 挂墩; pinyin: guàdūn) in Wuyishan, Fujian. It is found in southern and central China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam. It is an uncommon species, and very rare in Taiwan. It is named after Frederick William Styan, a Shanghai-based English tea merchant and ornithologist.
Description
Plagiopholis styani is a small non-venomous snake, reaching a total length (including tail) of up to 40 cm (16 in). Its upper head, body and tail are red-brown, olive-brown, or green-brown, with flecks of pink or black pigment on each scale, especially for those on the flanks of body. The upper body and tail have a spotted pattern of black or light yellow. There is a dark and thick cross band on nape, reflected in its Chinese name, Fujian neck-blotched snake (Chinese: 福建頸斑蛇).
Habitat and ecology
Plagiopholis styani occurs in areas of montane and bamboo forest, including caves. It is a nocturnal snake that eats mainly earthworms and arthropods. It uses its head to burrow. Females produce clutches of 5–11 eggs in summer.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Chinese Mountain Snake
- Is the Chinese Mountain Snake venomous?
- No. The Chinese Mountain Snake (Plagiopholis styani) 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 Chinese Mountain Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Chinese Mountain Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Chinese Mountain Snake dangerous?
- The Chinese Mountain Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Chinese Mountain Snake live?
- The Chinese Mountain Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including China, Chinese Taipei. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Assam Mountain SnakePlagiopholis nuchalis
Blakeway’s Mountain SnakePlagiopholis blakewayi
Plagiopholis pluvialisPlagiopholis pluvialis
Delacour's Mountain SnakePlagiopholis delacouri
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
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
- Plagiopholis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Plagiopholis styani
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.