Rainbow Tree Snake

About the Rainbow Tree Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rainbow Tree Snake

Is the Rainbow Tree Snake venomous?

No. The Rainbow Tree Snake (Gonyosoma margaritatum) 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 Tree Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Rainbow Tree Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Rainbow Tree Snake live?

The Rainbow Tree Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Red-tailed Green Ratsnake
  Gonyosoma oxycephalum
• 
  Rein Snake
  Gonyosoma frenatum
• 
  Blue-eyed Bush Rat Snake
  Gonyosoma coeruleum
• 
  Rhino Rat Snake
  Gonyosoma boulengeri
• 
  Celebes Black-Tailed Ratsnake
  Gonyosoma jansenii
• 
  Jade Tree Snake
  Gonyosoma iadinum
• 
  Hainan Rhinoceros Snake
  Gonyosoma hainanense
• 
  Green Bush Rat Snake
  Gonyosoma prasinum

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

Gonyosoma

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

Gonyosoma margaritatum

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.