Colubridae
Olive Trapezoid Snake
HarmlessRhabdops olivaceus
The Olive Trapezoid Snake (Rhabdops olivaceus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Olive Trapezoid Snake
Rhabdops olivaceus, the olive trapezoid snake or olive forest snake, is a snake endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Following the description of populations in Goa, northernmost Karnataka, and southern Maharashtra as a new species, Rhabdops aquaticus, the known range of Rhabdops olivaceus is from Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala north to Kottigehara in Karnataka, and possibly slightly further.
This species is found in damp steamsides within rainforests and is distributed from Palghat in Kerala to the Malanad area of Karnataka. It is a docile, placid snake and is said to be semiaquatic, feeding on small, soft-bodied animals. In habits, it is more frequently seen during the rains, both day or night.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Olive Trapezoid Snake
- Is the Olive Trapezoid Snake venomous?
- No. The Olive Trapezoid Snake (Rhabdops olivaceus) 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 Olive Trapezoid Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Olive Trapezoid Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Olive Trapezoid Snake dangerous?
- The Olive Trapezoid Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Olive Trapezoid Snake live?
- The Olive Trapezoid Snake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae 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
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Rhabdops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhabdops olivaceus
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.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.