Uropeltidae
Cuvier's Earth Snake
HarmlessRhinophis philippinus
The Cuvier's Earth Snake (Rhinophis philippinus) is a non-venomous snake in the Uropeltidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Uropeltidae
About the Cuvier's Earth Snake
Rhinophis philippinus, also known as Peter's earth snake or Peter's Philippine earth snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Description
Brown dorsally and ventrally, each scale with a lighter margin. Some specimens have a yellowish blotch near the head or on the anal region.
Total length 27 cm (10+3⁄4 in).
Dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody (in 19 rows behind the head). Ventrals 153–172; subcaudals 3–6.
Snout acutely pointed. Rostral obtusely keeled above, about 2/5 the length of the shielded part of the head. Nasals separated by the rostral. Eye in the ocular shield. No supraoculars. Frontal usually longer than broad. No temporals. No mental groove. Diameter of body 24 to 34 times in the total length. Ventrals only slightly larger than the contiguous scales. Tail ending in a large convex rugose shield, which is neither truncated nor spinose at the end. Caudal disc about as long as the shielded part of the head.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cuvier's Earth Snake
- Is the Cuvier's Earth Snake venomous?
- No. The Cuvier's Earth Snake (Rhinophis philippinus) 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 Cuvier's Earth Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cuvier's Earth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cuvier's Earth Snake dangerous?
- The Cuvier's Earth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cuvier's Earth Snake live?
- The Cuvier's Earth Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Sri Lanka, Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Uropeltidae snakes
Schneider's ShieldtailRhinophis oxyrhynchus
Bicoloured shieldtailRhinophis melanoleucus
Blyth's Earth SnakeRhinophis blythii
Large Shieldtail SnakeRhinophis saffragamus
Karinthandan's shield tailRhinophis karinthandani
Trevelyan's Earth SnakeRhinophis homolepis
Gray's Earth SnakeRhinophis melanogaster
Salty Earth SnakeRhinophis sanguineus
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
- Uropeltidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Rhinophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhinophis philippinus
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.