Colubridae
Stejneger's Bamboo Snake
HarmlessPseudoxenodon stejnegeri
6 photographs of the Stejneger's Bamboo Snake. © Emily Chang.
The Stejneger's Bamboo Snake (Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Stejneger's Bamboo Snake
Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri, commonly known as Stejneger's bamboo snake or (Stejneger's) mountain keelback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species was first described from Taiwan where it is widespread. It is also widespread in eastern China and has also been recorded in Yunnan and Hunan. There are two subspecies:
Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri stejnegeri Barbour, 1908 – China, Taiwan
Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri striaticaudatus Pope, 1928 – China
Description
Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri stejnegeri grows to 90 cm (35.4 in) in total length. It is oviparous.
Habitat
This species lives in dense forest on mountains at elevations of 400–2,100 m (1,300–6,900 ft) above sea level, typically near water where it forages on amphibians. in Taiwan, its altitudinal range is 1,000–2,500 m (3,300–8,200 ft).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Stejneger's Bamboo Snake
- Is the Stejneger's Bamboo Snake venomous?
- No. The Stejneger's Bamboo Snake (Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri) 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 Stejneger's Bamboo Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Stejneger's Bamboo Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Stejneger's Bamboo Snake dangerous?
- The Stejneger's Bamboo Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Stejneger's Bamboo Snake live?
- The Stejneger's Bamboo Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Chinese Taipei, China. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Pseudoxenodon
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Pseudoxenodon stejnegeri
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.