Colubridae
Malaysian Brown Snake
HarmlessXenelaphis hexagonotus
2 photographs of the Malaysian Brown Snake. © Samuel GUIRAUDOU.
The Malaysian Brown Snake (Xenelaphis hexagonotus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Malaysian Brown Snake
Xenelaphis hexagonotus, also known as the Malaysian (or Malayan) brown snake, is a species of snake found across Southeast Asia. It reaches up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length. The top of its body (the dorsum) is dark brown, with short black bars along its sides of the front part of the body, and it is white on its belly (the ventrum).
The habitat of X. hexagonotus is lowland waterlogged forests and mangrove swamps, and it is found from sea level up to 200 m (660 ft) above sea level. It is diurnal, and its diet includes rats and fish.
It is classified on the IUCN Red List as a species of least concern.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Malaysian Brown Snake
- Is the Malaysian Brown Snake venomous?
- No. The Malaysian Brown Snake (Xenelaphis hexagonotus) 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 Malaysian Brown Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Malaysian Brown Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Malaysian Brown Snake dangerous?
- The Malaysian Brown Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Malaysian Brown Snake live?
- The Malaysian Brown Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Ocellated Brown SnakeXenelaphis ellipsifer
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
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
- Xenelaphis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Xenelaphis hexagonotus
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.