Colubridae
Hejaz Black-collared Snake
HarmlessRhynchocalamus hejazicus
The Hejaz Black-collared Snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 15 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Hejaz Black-collared Snake
The Hejaz Black-collared Snake belongs to the Colubridae family, colubrids. The largest snake family, and the one most snakes you meet belong to.
Colubridae is by far the biggest family of snakes, with roughly two thousand species worldwide. It is a catch-all of mostly slender, agile, day-active snakes: ratsnakes, kingsnakes, gartersnakes, watersnakes, racers, whipsnakes, and hundreds more. The vast majority are harmless to people and kill prey by grabbing or constricting rather than with venom.
Its genus, Rhynchocalamus, covers dwarf snakes. Small, secretive burrowing colubrids of the Middle East and North Africa, most easily known by their dark head cap over a pale body.
The Hejaz Black-collared 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 across 15 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon.
Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.
Frequently asked: Hejaz Black-collared Snake
- Is the Hejaz Black-collared Snake venomous?
- No. The Hejaz Black-collared Snake (Rhynchocalamus hejazicus) 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 Hejaz Black-collared Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hejaz Black-collared Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Hejaz Black-collared Snake dangerous?
- The Hejaz Black-collared Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Hejaz Black-collared Snake live?
- The Hejaz Black-collared Snake has verified records in 15 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran (Islamic Republic of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Black-headed Ground SnakeRhynchocalamus melanocephalus
Palestine Kukri SnakeRhynchocalamus satunini
Rhynchocalamus levitoniRhynchocalamus levitoni
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
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
- Rhynchocalamus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhynchocalamus hejazicus
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. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.