Colubridae
Futsing Wolf Snake
HarmlessLycodon futsingensis
6 photographs of the Futsing Wolf Snake. © Jacob She.
The Futsing Wolf Snake (Lycodon futsingensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Futsing Wolf Snake
Lycodon futsingensis is a species of snake in the family colubridae. It is found in Laos, Vietnam, and China.
Lycodon futsingensis was included in the "List of Terrestrial Wildlife with Important Ecological, Scientific, and Social Value" in 2023.
Morphological characteristics
The Fuqing white ring snake is similar to the black backed white ring snake (Lycodon ruhstati), but the black backed white ring snake has more abdominal scales and lower tail scales. Blunt snout, flat and nearly trapezoidal head. The adult's head and back are black, and the upper lip scales are black with varying degrees of scattered white spots; The trunk and tail are mainly black or dark black brown in color, with 24-29 white rings and 10-15 white rings with scattered black spots on the trunk and tail, respectively. The white rings are irregular, with 1-6 dorsal scales wide, thinner at the spine and widest at the abdomen. The front abdomen of the head and torso is mainly white, with black spots mixed in; The posterior abdominal surface is mostly black brown.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Futsing Wolf Snake
- Is the Futsing Wolf Snake venomous?
- No. The Futsing Wolf Snake (Lycodon futsingensis) 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 Futsing Wolf Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Futsing Wolf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Futsing Wolf Snake dangerous?
- The Futsing Wolf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Futsing Wolf Snake live?
- The Futsing Wolf Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Hong Kong, China, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Lycodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lycodon futsingensis
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.