Colubridae
Dotted Dwarf Snake
HarmlessEirenis punctatolineatus


2 photographs of the Dotted Dwarf Snake. © موسی مزینانیان Mousa Mazinanian.
The Dotted Dwarf Snake (Eirenis punctatolineatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Dotted Dwarf Snake
Eirenis punctatolineatus is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is commonly known as the dotted dwarf racer.
Geographic range
The snake is found in the Middle East.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Dotted Dwarf Snake
- Is the Dotted Dwarf Snake venomous?
- No. The Dotted Dwarf Snake (Eirenis punctatolineatus) 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 Dotted Dwarf Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Dotted Dwarf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Dotted Dwarf Snake dangerous?
- The Dotted Dwarf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Dotted Dwarf Snake live?
- The Dotted Dwarf Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Iran (Islamic Republic of), Armenia, Türkiye. 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
Spotted Line Dwarf SnakeEirenis lineomaculatus
Narrow-striped Dwarf SnakeEirenis decemlineatus
Crowned Dwarf RacerEirenis coronella
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 punctatolineatus
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.