Colubridae
Samarinda Reed Snake
HarmlessCalamaria hilleniusi





5 photographs of the Samarinda Reed Snake. © Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago.
The Samarinda Reed Snake (Calamaria hilleniusi) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Samarinda Reed Snake
Calamaria hilleniusi is a species of snake in the subfamily Calamariinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Oceania and Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, hilleniusi, is in honor of Dutch herpetologist Dick Hillenius.
Geographic distribution
Calamaria hilleniusi is found in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Calamaria hillenius is forest.
Behavior
Calamaria hilleniusi is terrestrial and semi-fossorial.
Reproduction
Calamaria hilleniusi is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Samarinda Reed Snake
- Is the Samarinda Reed Snake venomous?
- No. The Samarinda Reed Snake (Calamaria hilleniusi) 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 Samarinda Reed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Samarinda Reed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Samarinda Reed Snake dangerous?
- The Samarinda Reed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Samarinda Reed Snake live?
- The Samarinda Reed Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Samarinda Reed Snake?
- The specific name, hilleniusi, is in honor of Dutch herpetologist Dick Hillenius.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Pink-headed Reed SnakeCalamaria schlegeli
Collared Reed SnakeCalamaria pavimentata
Northern Reed SnakeCalamaria septentrionalis
Variable Reed SnakeCalamaria lumbricoidea
Schmidt's Reed SnakeCalamaria schmidti
Gervais' Worm SnakeCalamaria gervaisii
Lined Reed SnakeCalamaria griswoldi
Linne's Dwarf SnakeCalamaria linnaei
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
- Calamaria
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Calamaria hilleniusi
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.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.