Rainbow Forest-Racer

About the Rainbow Forest-Racer

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rainbow Forest-Racer

Is the Rainbow Forest-Racer venomous?

No. The Rainbow Forest-Racer (Dendrophidion nuchale) 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 Rainbow Forest-Racer poisonous?

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

Is the Rainbow Forest-Racer dangerous?

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

Where does the Rainbow Forest-Racer live?

The Rainbow Forest-Racer has verified records in 7 countries, including Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Panama, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Barred Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion percarinatum
• 
  Clark's Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion clarkii
• 
  Olive Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion dendrophis
• 
  Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion bivittatus
• 
  Günther's Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion brunneum
• 
  Cadle's Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion graciliverpa
• 
  Dendrophidion apharocybe
  Dendrophidion apharocybe
• 
  Cope's Forest Racer
  Dendrophidion paucicarinatum

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

Dendrophidion

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

Dendrophidion nuchale

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.