Is the Four-striped Snake venomous?

No. The Four-striped Snake (Dromicodryas quadrilineatus) 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 Four-striped Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Four-striped Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Four-striped Snake dangerous?

The Four-striped Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Four-striped Snake live?

The Four-striped Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Madagascar, Guyana, South Africa. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Pseudoxyrhophiidae

Four-striped Snake

Harmless

Dromicodryas quadrilineatus

Four-striped Snake — Dromicodryas quadrilineatus, © amantedarmanin

6 photographs of the Four-striped Snake. © amantedarmanin.

The Four-striped Snake (Dromicodryas quadrilineatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

Family: Pseudoxyrhophiidae

About the Four-striped Snake

The Four-striped Snake belongs to the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, malagasy snakes. A spectacular radiation of mostly harmless snakes centered on Madagascar.

This family is the dominant snake group of Madagascar, where it has diversified into hognose snakes, cat-eyed snakes, leaf-nosed snakes, and many more, with additional members in Africa. Most are rear-fanged but harmless to people.

Its genus, Dromicodryas, covers Madagascar striped snakes. Slender, fast, ground-dwelling striped snakes found only on Madagascar.

The Four-striped Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.

It has been recorded in Madagascar, Guyana and South Africa.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Four-striped Snake

Is the Four-striped Snake venomous?: No. The Four-striped Snake (Dromicodryas quadrilineatus) 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 Four-striped Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Four-striped Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Four-striped Snake dangerous?: The Four-striped Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Four-striped Snake live?: The Four-striped Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Madagascar, Guyana, South Africa. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Madagascar Guyana South Africa

More Pseudoxyrhophiidae 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: Pseudoxyrhophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Dromicodryas
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Dromicodryas quadrilineatus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.