Snake FinderField Guide · Worldwide

Colubridae

Samarinda Reed Snake

Harmless

Calamaria hilleniusi

Samarinda Reed Snake
Calamaria hilleniusi, © Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago
Samarinda Reed SnakeSamarinda Reed SnakeSamarinda Reed SnakeSamarinda Reed Snake

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

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

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