Is the Painted Racer venomous?

No. The Painted Racer (Pseudalsophis steindachneri) 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 Painted Racer poisonous?

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

Is the Painted Racer dangerous?

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

Where does the Painted Racer live?

The Painted Racer has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Painted Racer

Harmless

Pseudalsophis steindachneri

Painted Racer — Pseudalsophis steindachneri, © Cristina Olivares Collado

4 photographs of the Painted Racer. © Cristina Olivares Collado.

The Painted Racer (Pseudalsophis steindachneri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family: Colubridae

About the Painted Racer

Pseudalsophis steindachneri, also known commonly as the Galápagos painted racer, Steindachner's snake, and the striped Galapagos snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador.

Etymology

Pseudalsophis steindachneri is named after Franz Steindachner, an Austrian zoologist, ichthyologist, and herpetologist, who published over 200 papers on fishes and over 50 papers on reptiles and amphibians.

Description

Pseudalsophis steindacneri has smooth dorsal scales, which are arranged in 19 rows at midbody and lack apical pits. The ventrals number 169–180, and the subcaudals number 96–114.

Geographic range

In the Galápagos Islands, Pseudalsophis steindachneri is found on the following islands: Baltra, North Seymour, Rábida, Santa Cruz, and Santiago.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Pseudalsophis steindachneri are forest and shrubland, at elevations from near sea level to 100 m (330 ft).

Behavior

Pseudalsophis steindachneri is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Pseudalsophis steindachneri is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Painted Racer

Is the Painted Racer venomous?: No. The Painted Racer (Pseudalsophis steindachneri) 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 Painted Racer poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Painted Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Painted Racer dangerous?: The Painted Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Painted Racer live?: The Painted Racer has verified records in 1 country, including Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Painted Racer?: Pseudalsophis steindachneri is named after Franz Steindachner, an Austrian zoologist, ichthyologist, and herpetologist, who published over 200 papers on fishes and over 50 papers on reptiles and amphibians.

Where it is found

Ecuador

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

Keep learning

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