Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake

About the Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake

Is the Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake venomous?

No. The Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake (Rhadinella hempsteadae) 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 Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake dangerous?

The Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake live?

The Hempstead's Pine Woods Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Guatemala, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Godman's Graceful Brown Snake
  Rhadinella godmani
• 
  Striped Litter Snake
  Rhadinella serperaster
• 
  Kinkelin Graceful Brown Snake
  Rhadinella kinkelini
• 
  Monte Cristi Graceful Brown Snake
  Rhadinella montecristi
• 
  Rhadinella anachoreta
  Rhadinella anachoreta
• 
  Cusuco Graceful Brown Snake
  Rhadinella pegosalyta
• 
  Kanalchutchan Graceful Brown Snake
  Rhadinella kanalchutchan
• 
  Tearful Pine-Oak Snake
  Rhadinella lachrymans

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

Rhadinella

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Rhadinella hempsteadae

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.