New Guinea keelback

About the New Guinea keelback

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: New Guinea keelback

Is the New Guinea keelback venomous?

No. The New Guinea keelback (Tropidonophis novaeguineae) 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 New Guinea keelback poisonous?

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

Is the New Guinea keelback dangerous?

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

Where does the New Guinea keelback live?

The New Guinea keelback has verified records in 2 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Common keelback
  Tropidonophis mairii
• 
  Barred keelback
  Tropidonophis doriae
• 
  Painted keelback
  Tropidonophis picturatus
• 
  Boie's Keelback
  Tropidonophis spilogaster
• 
  Spotted Water Snake
  Tropidonophis dendrophiops
• 
  Negros Spotted Water Snake
  Tropidonophis negrosensis
• 
  Tropidonophis halmahericus
  Tropidonophis halmahericus
• 
  Many-scaled keelback
  Tropidonophis multiscutellatus

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

Tropidonophis

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

Tropidonophis novaeguineae

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.