Colubridae
Eastern Trinket Snake
HarmlessElaphe cantoris
2 photographs of the Eastern Trinket Snake. (c) chintan sheth, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Eastern Trinket Snake (Elaphe cantoris) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Eastern Trinket Snake
The eastern trinket snake (Elaphe cantoris) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, cantoris, is in honor of Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor.
Geographic range
E. cantoris is found in the Himalayas in Bhutan, India (Assam, Darjeeling, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Nepal. The type locality is the Khasi and Garo Hills in Meghalaya.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of E. cantoris is mountain forest at elevations of 1,000–2,300 m (3,300–7,500 ft).
Description
E. cantoris is a large species, and may grow to a total length (including tail) of almost 2 m (6.6 ft). Dorsally, it has a brownish ground color, which is overlaid by a series of squarish dark brown blotches. Ventrally, it is yellowish anteriorly, becoming pinkish posteriorly.
Behavior
E. cantoris is partly arboreal.
Reproduction
E. cantoris is oviparous. In India, sexually mature females lay eggs in late July, with an average clutch size of 10 eggs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Eastern Trinket Snake
- Is the Eastern Trinket Snake venomous?
- No. The Eastern Trinket Snake (Elaphe cantoris) 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 Eastern Trinket Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Eastern Trinket Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Eastern Trinket Snake dangerous?
- The Eastern Trinket Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Eastern Trinket Snake live?
- The Eastern Trinket Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including India, Bhutan, Nepal. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Eastern Trinket Snake?
- The specific name, cantoris, is in honor of Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor.
Where it is found
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
- Elaphe
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Elaphe cantoris
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.