Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake

About the Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake

Is the Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake venomous?

No. The Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake (Oligodon modestus) 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 Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake dangerous?

The Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake live?

The Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Taiwan Kukri Snake
  Oligodon formosanus
• 
  Small-banded Kukri Snake
  Oligodon fasciolatus
• 
  Streaked Kukri Snake
  Oligodon taeniolatus
• 
  Banded kukri snake
  Oligodon arnensis
• 
  Eight-striped Kukri Snake
  Oligodon octolineatus
• 
  Striped Kukri Snake
  Oligodon taeniatus
• 
  Chinese Kukri Snake
  Oligodon chinensis
• 
  Brown Kukri Snake
  Oligodon purpurascens

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

Oligodon

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

Oligodon modestus

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.