Xenophidiidae
Malayan Spinejaw Snake
HarmlessXenophidion schaeferi
The Malayan Spinejaw Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi) is a non-venomous snake in the Xenophidiidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Xenophidiidae
About the Malayan Spinejaw Snake
Xenophidion schaeferi, also known commonly as the Malayan spinejaw snake or Schäfer's spiny-jawed snake, is a species of snake in the monotypic family Xenophidiidae. The species is endemic to Malaysia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Malayan Spinejaw Snake
- Is the Malayan Spinejaw Snake venomous?
- No. The Malayan Spinejaw Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi) 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 Malayan Spinejaw Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Malayan Spinejaw Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Malayan Spinejaw Snake dangerous?
- The Malayan Spinejaw Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Malayan Spinejaw Snake live?
- The Malayan Spinejaw Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Xenophidiidae 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
- Xenophidiidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Xenophidion
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Xenophidion schaeferi
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.