Litter Snake

About the Litter Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Litter Snake

Is the Litter Snake venomous?

No. The Litter Snake (Tantilla reticulata) 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 Litter Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Litter Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Litter Snake live?

The Litter Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.

How do I identify the Litter Snake?

Tiny and slender, plain brown or tan, often with a darker head cap.

How big does the Litter Snake get?

Tiny, 6–12 in.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Flat-headed Snake
  Tantilla gracilis
• 
  Plains Black-headed Snake
  Tantilla nigriceps
• 
  Black-headed Snake
  Tantilla melanocephala
• 
  Southeastern Crowned Snake
  Tantilla coronata
• 
  Southwestern Blackhead Snake
  Tantilla hobartsmithi
• 
  Western Black-headed Snake
  Tantilla planiceps
• 
  Bocourt's Black-headed Snake
  Tantilla bocourti
• 
  Florida Crowned Snake
  Tantilla relicta

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

Tantilla

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

Tantilla reticulata

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.