Painted Wolf Snake

About the Painted Wolf Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Painted Wolf Snake

Is the Painted Wolf Snake venomous?

No. The Painted Wolf Snake (Lycodon pictus) 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 Wolf Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Painted Wolf Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Painted Wolf Snake live?

The Painted Wolf Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including China, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Red-banded Snake
  Lycodon rufozonatus
• 
  Common Wolf Snake
  Lycodon capucinus
• 
  Indian Wolf Snake
  Lycodon aulicus
• 
  Formosa Wolf Snake
  Lycodon ruhstrati
• 
  Russell's Wolf Snake
  Lycodon fasciolatus
• 
  Travancore Wolf Snake
  Lycodon travancoricus
• 
  Futsing Wolf Snake
  Lycodon futsingensis
• 
  Laotian Wolf Snake
  Lycodon laoensis

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 pictus

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.