Mona Island Racer

About the Mona Island Racer

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Mona Island Racer

Is the Mona Island Racer venomous?

The Mona Island Racer (Borikenophis variegatus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Mona Island Racer poisonous?

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

Is the Mona Island Racer dangerous?

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

Where does the Mona Island Racer live?

The Mona Island Racer has verified records in 1 country, including Puerto Rico. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Puerto Rican Racer
  Borikenophis portoricensis
• 
  Common Garter Snake
  Thamnophis sirtalis
• 
  Common Watersnake
  Nerodia sipedon
• 
  Gopher Snake
  Pituophis catenifer
• 
  DeKay's Brownsnake
  Storeria dekayi
• 
  North American Racer
  Coluber constrictor
• 
  Ring-necked Snake
  Diadophis punctatus
• No photo
  Caja de Muertos Racer
  Borikenophis prymnus

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

Borikenophis

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

Borikenophis variegatus

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.