Colubridae
Crowned Dwarf Racer
HarmlessEirenis coronella
The Crowned Dwarf Racer (Eirenis coronella) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Crowned Dwarf Racer
Eirenis coronella or crowned dwarf racer, is a non-venomous snake found in the Near and Middle East.
Description
Eirenis coronella adults range from 25 to 30 cm in length. The head is a little wider than the body, although the body is a little bulky and has smooth dorsal scales. The tail is distinctly narrower than the main body and constitutes about 20% of the total length. The dorsal surface is usually pale brown to grey, with darker bands. They have a thick brown crescent-shaped collar, and the underside is yellowish to white with round brown spots.
Distribution
The snake is found in Southern Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt (Sinai), Iraq, Western Iran, Northern Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
This species is found in arid, sparsely vegetated mountainous and hilly areas on hard and rocky soils. It can be found between rocks and on the banks of dry wadis. They are often found in agricultural land and other man made habitats (Egan 2007). It is not known from agricultural areas.
Reproduction
Oviparous, the female lays between three and five eggs in a clutch.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Crowned Dwarf Racer
- Is the Crowned Dwarf Racer venomous?
- No. The Crowned Dwarf Racer (Eirenis coronella) 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 Crowned Dwarf Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Crowned Dwarf Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Crowned Dwarf Racer dangerous?
- The Crowned Dwarf Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Crowned Dwarf Racer live?
- The Crowned Dwarf Racer has verified records in 11 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Roth's Dwarf SnakeEirenis rothii
Ring-Headed Dwarf SnakeEirenis modestus
Collared Dwarf SnakeEirenis collaris
Levantine Dwarf SnakeEirenis levantinus
Dotted Dwarf SnakeEirenis punctatolineatus
Spotted Line Dwarf SnakeEirenis lineomaculatus
Narrow-striped Dwarf SnakeEirenis decemlineatus
Dark-headed Dwarf RacerEirenis persicus
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
- Eirenis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Eirenis coronella
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.