Matale Shieldtail

About the Matale Shieldtail

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Matale Shieldtail

Is the Matale Shieldtail venomous?

No. The Matale Shieldtail (Rhinophis gunasekarai) 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 Matale Shieldtail poisonous?

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

Is the Matale Shieldtail dangerous?

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

Where does the Matale Shieldtail live?

The Matale Shieldtail has verified records in 1 country, including Sri Lanka. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Uropeltidae snakes

• 
  Schneider's Shieldtail
  Rhinophis oxyrhynchus
• 
  Bicoloured shieldtail
  Rhinophis melanoleucus
• 
  Cuvier's Earth Snake
  Rhinophis philippinus
• 
  Blyth's Earth Snake
  Rhinophis blythii
• 
  Large Shieldtail Snake
  Rhinophis saffragamus
• 
  Karinthandan's shield tail
  Rhinophis karinthandani
• 
  Trevelyan's Earth Snake
  Rhinophis homolepis
• 
  Gray's Earth Snake
  Rhinophis melanogaster

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

Uropeltidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Rhinophis

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

Rhinophis gunasekarai

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.