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Pseudoxyrhophiidae

Nosy Bé Tree Snake

Harmless

Lycodryas granuliceps

Nosy Bé Tree Snake
Lycodryas granuliceps, (c) Samuel GUIRAUDOU, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Nosy Bé Tree Snake

2 photographs of the Nosy Bé Tree Snake. (c) Samuel GUIRAUDOU, some rights reserved (CC BY).

The Nosy Bé Tree Snake (Lycodryas granuliceps) is a non-venomous snake in the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family
Pseudoxyrhophiidae

About the Nosy Bé Tree Snake

The Nosy Bé Tree Snake belongs to the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, malagasy snakes. A spectacular radiation of mostly harmless snakes centered on Madagascar.

This family is the dominant snake group of Madagascar, where it has diversified into hognose snakes, cat-eyed snakes, leaf-nosed snakes, and many more, with additional members in Africa. Most are rear-fanged but harmless to people.

Its genus, Lycodryas, covers Madagascar tree snakes. Slender, big-eyed nocturnal tree snakes that belong to Madagascar's own endemic snake family.

The Nosy Bé Tree Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.

It has been recorded in Madagascar.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Nosy Bé Tree Snake

Is the Nosy Bé Tree Snake venomous?
No. The Nosy Bé Tree Snake (Lycodryas granuliceps) 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 Nosy Bé Tree Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Nosy Bé Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Nosy Bé Tree Snake dangerous?
The Nosy Bé Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Nosy Bé Tree Snake live?
The Nosy Bé Tree Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Madagascar. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Pseudoxyrhophiidae 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
Pseudoxyrhophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Lycodryas
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Lycodryas granuliceps

Keep learning

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