Nilgiri Burrowing Snake

About the Nilgiri Burrowing Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Nilgiri Burrowing Snake

Is the Nilgiri Burrowing Snake venomous?

No. The Nilgiri Burrowing Snake (Plectrurus perroteti) 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 Nilgiri Burrowing Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Nilgiri Burrowing Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Nilgiri Burrowing Snake live?

The Nilgiri Burrowing Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including India, Germany. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Why is it called the Nilgiri Burrowing Snake?

The specific name, perrotetii or perroteti, is in honour of French naturalist George Samuel Perrottet (1793–1867).

Where it is found

More Uropeltidae snakes

• 
  Kerala Burrowing Snake
  Plectrurus aureus
• 
  Bombay Earth Snake
  Uropeltis macrolepis
• 
  Phipson's Shieldtail
  Uropeltis phipsonii
• 
  Elliot's Earth Snake
  Uropeltis ellioti
• 
  Khaire's black earth snake
  Melanophidium khairei
• 
  Indian Black Earth Snake
  Melanophidium wynaudense
• 
  Madurai Shieldtail
  Platyplectrurus madurensis
• 
  Schneider's Shieldtail
  Rhinophis oxyrhynchus

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

Plectrurus

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

Plectrurus perroteti

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.