Is the Palau Tree Snake venomous?

No. The Palau Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis striolatus) 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 Palau Tree Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Palau Tree Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Palau Tree Snake live?

The Palau Tree Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Palau, Micronesia (Federated States of), Papua New Guinea. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Palau Tree Snake

Harmless

Dendrelaphis striolatus

Palau Tree Snake — Dendrelaphis striolatus, © SiphonophoreSlinger

5 photographs of the Palau Tree Snake. © SiphonophoreSlinger.

The Palau Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis striolatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Palau Tree Snake

The Palau Tree Snake belongs to the Colubridae family, colubrids. The largest snake family, and the one most snakes you meet belong to.

Colubridae is by far the biggest family of snakes, with roughly two thousand species worldwide. It is a catch-all of mostly slender, agile, day-active snakes: ratsnakes, kingsnakes, gartersnakes, watersnakes, racers, whipsnakes, and hundreds more. The vast majority are harmless to people and kill prey by grabbing or constricting rather than with venom.

Its genus, Dendrelaphis, covers bronzebacks and Asian tree snakes. Slim, fast, big-eyed tree snakes that race through the canopy across South and Southeast Asia.

The Palau Tree Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.

It has been recorded in Palau, Micronesia (Federated States of) and Papua New Guinea.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Palau Tree Snake

Is the Palau Tree Snake venomous?: No. The Palau Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis striolatus) 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 Palau Tree Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Palau Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Palau Tree Snake dangerous?: The Palau Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Palau Tree Snake live?: The Palau Tree Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Palau, Micronesia (Federated States of), Papua New Guinea. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Palau Micronesia (Federated States of)Papua New Guinea

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: Dendrelaphis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Dendrelaphis striolatus

Keep learning

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