Colubridae
Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake
HarmlessStegonotus caligocephalus




4 photographs of the Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake. © Lawrence Hylton.
The Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake (Stegonotus caligocephalus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake
Stegonotus caligocephalus, the dark-headed Sabah ground snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
The snake is found in Malaysia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake
- Is the Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake venomous?
- No. The Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake (Stegonotus caligocephalus) 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 Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake dangerous?
- The Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake live?
- The Dark-headed Sabah Groundsnake has verified records in 2 countries, including Malaysia, Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Slaty-grey snakeStegonotus australis
Rainbow GroundsnakeStegonotus iridis
Batjan Frog-eating SnakeStegonotus batjanensis
Muller's Wolf SnakeStegonotus muelleri
De Rooij's GroundsnakeStegonotus derooijae
Reticulated Slaty SnakeStegonotus reticulatus
Bird's Head Peninsula GroundsnakeStegonotus cucullatus
Diehl's Little GroundsnakeStegonotus diehli
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
- Stegonotus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Stegonotus caligocephalus
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.