Pareidae
Mountain Slug Snake
HarmlessPareas macularius
The Mountain Slug Snake (Pareas macularius) is a non-venomous snake in the Pareidae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Pareidae
About the Mountain Slug Snake
Pareas macularius, the mountain slug snake, is a species of snake found in southeast Asia and surrounding countries.
Description
Colouration
Ochre brown to red-brown with somewhat reticulated (having a grid- or network-like pattern) bars formed by particoloured scales—white in front and deep claret brown behind—that give the snake a half-banded, half-spotted appearance. A white nuchal collar mottled with claret-red is usually present. Brown spotted and mottled belly.
Scalation
Fifteen rows of smooth dorsal scales are present across the entire body, though they may be weakly keeled posteriorly. Possesses 6 or 7 supralabial scales, anteriorly high and narrow; 5 to 7 subocular scales, not contacting the labial scales; One loreal scale; Subequal frontal scales; 8 sublabial scales; & 3 pairs of chin shields.
Behaviour
Like its congeners, Pareas macularius is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal, oviparous snail and slug specialist.
Distribution
Pareas macularius can be found across much of southeastern Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and southern China.
Etymology
The specific name macularius derives from the Latin word macula meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the snake's particolour spotted markings.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Mountain Slug Snake
- Is the Mountain Slug Snake venomous?
- No. The Mountain Slug Snake (Pareas macularius) 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 Mountain Slug Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Mountain Slug Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Mountain Slug Snake dangerous?
- The Mountain Slug Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Mountain Slug Snake live?
- The Mountain Slug Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Thailand, China, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Mountain Slug Snake?
- The specific name macularius derives from the Latin word macula meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the snake's particolour spotted markings.
Where it is found
More Pareidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
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.