Colubridae
Española Racer
HarmlessPseudalsophis hoodensis






6 photographs of the Española Racer. © Rosie Yacoub.
The Española Racer (Pseudalsophis hoodensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Española Racer
Pseudalsophis hoodensis, otherwise known as the Espanola racer, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Etymolotgy
The word "hoodensis" is derived from the word Hood, which is another name for Española Island.
Geographic range
The snake is endemic to Española Island in the Galápagos Islands.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Española Racer
- Is the Española Racer venomous?
- No. The Española Racer (Pseudalsophis hoodensis) 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 Española Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Española Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Española Racer dangerous?
- The Española Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Española Racer live?
- The Española Racer has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Fernandina RacerPseudalsophis occidentalis
Painted RacerPseudalsophis steindachneri
South American Elegant RacerPseudalsophis elegans
Santa Cruz RacerPseudalsophis dorsalis
Galápagos RacerPseudalsophis biserialis
Darwin's RacerPseudalsophis darwini
Thomas's RacerPseudalsophis thomasi
Santiago RacerPseudalsophis hephaestus
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
- Pseudalsophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Pseudalsophis hoodensis
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.