Is the Müller’s Crown Snake venomous?

Yes. The Müller’s Crown Snake (Aspidomorphus muelleri) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Müller’s Crown Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Müller’s Crown Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Müller’s Crown Snake live?

The Müller’s Crown Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

Müller’s Crown Snake

Venomous

Aspidomorphus muelleri

The Müller’s Crown Snake (Aspidomorphus muelleri) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Elapidae
Danger: high

About the Müller’s Crown Snake

Aspidomorphus muelleri, also known commonly as Müller's crown snake and Müller's crowned snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. The species is native to Oceania. There are three recognized subspecies.

Etymology

The specific name, muelleri, is in honor of German naturalist Salomon Müller.

Description

Aspidomorphus muelleri may attain a total length of 50 cm (20 in), including a tail length of 7 cm (2.8 in). It has six upper labials, the third and fourth in contact with the eye. The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows at midbody. The anal plate is divided.

Geographic distribution

Aspidomorphus muelleri is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Aspidomorphus muelleri are forest, shrubland, and grassland, at elevations of 500–1,500 m (1,600–4,900 ft).

Behavior

Aspidomorphus muelleri is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Aspidomorphus muelleri is oviparous.

Subspecies

The following three subspecies of Aspidomorphus muelleri are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Aspidomorphus muelleri muelleri (Schlegel, 1837)

Aspidomorphus muelleri interruptus Brongersma, 1934

Aspidomorphus muelleri lineatus Brongersma, 1934

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Müller’s Crown Snake

Is the Müller’s Crown Snake venomous?: Yes. The Müller’s Crown Snake (Aspidomorphus muelleri) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Müller’s Crown Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Müller’s Crown Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Müller’s Crown Snake dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Müller’s Crown Snake live?: The Müller’s Crown Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Müller’s Crown Snake?: The specific name, muelleri, is in honor of German naturalist Salomon Müller.

If you are bitten by the Müller’s Crown Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Papua New Guinea Indonesia Solomon Islands

More Elapidae 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: Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Aspidomorphus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Aspidomorphus muelleri

Keep learning

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