Colubridae
Forest Racer
HarmlessDendrophidion bivittatus





5 photographs of the Forest Racer. © Catalina Ayala.
The Forest Racer (Dendrophidion bivittatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Forest Racer
Dendrophidion bivittatus, commonly known as the forest racer, is a snake of the colubrid family.
Geographic distribution
The snake is found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Forest Racer
- Is the Forest Racer venomous?
- No. The Forest Racer (Dendrophidion bivittatus) 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 Forest Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Forest Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Forest Racer dangerous?
- The Forest Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Forest Racer live?
- The Forest Racer has verified records in 3 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Barred Forest RacerDendrophidion percarinatum
Clark's Forest RacerDendrophidion clarkii
Olive Forest RacerDendrophidion dendrophis
Günther's Forest RacerDendrophidion brunneum
Cadle's Forest RacerDendrophidion graciliverpa
Dendrophidion apharocybeDendrophidion apharocybe
Cope's Forest RacerDendrophidion paucicarinatum
Dendrophidion prolixumDendrophidion prolixum
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
- Dendrophidion
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dendrophidion bivittatus
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.