Is the Olive Grass Racer venomous?

The Olive Grass Racer (Psammophis phillipsii) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Olive Grass Racer poisonous?

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

Is the Olive Grass Racer dangerous?

The Olive Grass Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Olive Grass Racer live?

The Olive Grass Racer has verified records in 43 countries, including Benin, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Psammophiidae

Olive Grass Racer

Harmless

Psammophis phillipsii

Olive Grass Racer — Psammophis phillipsii, © Wolfgang Ahlmer

3 photographs of the Olive Grass Racer. © Wolfgang Ahlmer.

The Olive Grass Racer (Psammophis phillipsii) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Psammophiidae family, recorded in 43 countries.

Family: Psammophiidae

About the Olive Grass Racer

Psammophis phillipsii, also known by its common name olive grass racer, is a species from the genus Psammophis. The species was originally described in 1844.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Olive Grass Racer

Is the Olive Grass Racer venomous?: The Olive Grass Racer (Psammophis phillipsii) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
Is the Olive Grass Racer poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Olive Grass Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Olive Grass Racer dangerous?: The Olive Grass Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Olive Grass Racer live?: The Olive Grass Racer has verified records in 43 countries, including Benin, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic. See the distribution section below for its full range.

More Psammophiidae 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: Psammophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Psammophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Psammophis phillipsii

Keep learning

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