Is the Common Rough-sided Snake venomous?

No. The Common Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura trachyprocta) 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 Common Rough-sided Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common Rough-sided Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Common Rough-sided Snake dangerous?

The Common Rough-sided Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Common Rough-sided Snake live?

The Common Rough-sided Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Sri Lanka, Australia, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Common Rough-sided Snake

Harmless

Aspidura trachyprocta

Common Rough-sided Snake — Aspidura trachyprocta, © Vsevolod Rudyi

4 photographs of the Common Rough-sided Snake. © Vsevolod Rudyi.

The Common Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura trachyprocta) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Common Rough-sided Snake

Aspidura trachyprocta, the common rough-sided snake, is a colubrid species endemic to Sri Lanka.

Distribution

A commonly encountered small burrowing snake from midhills to montane limits of central Sri Lanka. Localities recorded are Gammaduwa, Monaragala, Labukele, Nuwara Eliya, Harasbedda, Eskdale, Central Kandy, Pundaluoya, Longton Estate, Diyagama Estate, Nanu Oya, Sita Eliya, Ambewela, Pattipola, Hakgala, Horton Plains National Park, Namunukula, Kandy, Radella, Ramboda, and Diyatalawa at elevations of 750-2100m.

Description

Head indistinct from neck, body is cylindrical. Dorsum range from blackish brown to light reddish brown, with lateral stripes and 2–3 rows of dark dorsal spots. Venter varying from being heavily blotched with black to light yellow with a red tint and just blotched on midline.

Scalation

Midbody scale rows 15. Pre-oculars present. 2 Post-oculars contact with parietal. Ventrals 128–151. Subcaudals 11–26.

Ecology

Found in piles of humus, leaf litter and rotten timber, within agricultural lands.

Reproduction

4–12 eggs at a time, measuring 16 × 25mm.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Common Rough-sided Snake

Is the Common Rough-sided Snake venomous?: No. The Common Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura trachyprocta) 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 Common Rough-sided Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common Rough-sided Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Common Rough-sided Snake dangerous?: The Common Rough-sided Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Common Rough-sided Snake live?: The Common Rough-sided Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Sri Lanka, Australia, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Sri Lanka Australia India Maldives

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: Aspidura
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Aspidura trachyprocta

Keep learning

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