Colubridae
Oriental Odd-tooth Snake
HarmlessLycodon orientalis
6 photographs of the Oriental Odd-tooth Snake. © Samuele Papeschi.
The Oriental Odd-tooth Snake (Lycodon orientalis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Oriental Odd-tooth Snake
The Oriental odd-tooth snake (Lycodon orientalis), sometimes called the Japanese odd-tooth snake, is a species endemic to Japan, belonging to the family Colubridae. It is found in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, the Goto Islands, Iki Island, Izu Ōshima, the Oki Islands, Sado Island, Tanegashima, and Yakushima. It has also been reported in Shiashkotan, one of the Chishima Islands.
The snake was first described in 1880 by both Hilgendorf and Günther However, according to Stejneger the description by Hilgendorf was published before that of Günther.
Description and habitat
The full-length snake is about 30–70 cm and has black stripes with a lighter coloured underside. They live in the forest, mainly in the forest floor, and prey upon other snakes, frogs and lizards, such as Achalinus spinalis, the Japanese common toad (Bufo japonicus), Takydromus tachydromoides, and Plestiodon japonicus.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Oriental Odd-tooth Snake
- Is the Oriental Odd-tooth Snake venomous?
- No. The Oriental Odd-tooth Snake (Lycodon orientalis) 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 Oriental Odd-tooth Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Oriental Odd-tooth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Oriental Odd-tooth Snake dangerous?
- The Oriental Odd-tooth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Oriental Odd-tooth Snake live?
- The Oriental Odd-tooth Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. 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
- Lycodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lycodon orientalis
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.