Is the Marbled Tree Snake venomous?

No. The Marbled Tree Snake (Dipsadoboa aulica) 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 Marbled Tree Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Marbled Tree Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Marbled Tree Snake live?

The Marbled Tree Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Marbled Tree Snake

Harmless

Dipsadoboa aulica

Marbled Tree Snake — Dipsadoboa aulica, © rcoliveira84

6 photographs of the Marbled Tree Snake. © rcoliveira84.

The Marbled Tree Snake (Dipsadoboa aulica) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Marbled Tree Snake

Dipsadoboa aulica, commonly known as the marbled tree snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa, and is mildly venomous to humans.

Geographic range

D. aulica is found in Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Description

D. aulica is a slender-bodied snake. Males may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 66 cm (26 in). Females are slightly smaller, growing to 63 cm (25 in) SVL. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.

Behavior

D. aulicus, is nocturnal and arboreal, hiding during the day in tree cavities or under bark.

Diet

D. aulica preys primarily upon tree frogs and geckos, but will also eat toads, skinks, and small rodents.

Reproduction

D. aulica, like all species in the genus Dipsadoboa, is oviparous. In midsummer sexually mature females lay 7-8 eggs. The eggs measure on average 25.5 x 11.5 mm (about 1 x 0.5 inch). Hatchlings measure on average 18 cm (about 7 inches) in total length (including tail).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Marbled Tree Snake

Is the Marbled Tree Snake venomous?: No. The Marbled Tree Snake (Dipsadoboa aulica) 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 Marbled Tree Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Marbled Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Marbled Tree Snake dangerous?: The Marbled Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Marbled Tree Snake live?: The Marbled Tree Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Marbled Tree Snake eat?: D. aulica preys primarily upon tree frogs and geckos, but will also eat toads, skinks, and small rodents.

Where it is found

South Africa Eswatini Zimbabwe Mozambique Tanzania, United Republic of Malawi

More Colubridae 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: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Dipsadoboa
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Dipsadoboa aulica

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.