Uropeltidae
Tailspot Uropeltis
HarmlessUropeltis caudomaculata
3 photographs of the Tailspot Uropeltis. (c) Sujay G, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Tailspot Uropeltis (Uropeltis caudomaculata) is a non-venomous snake in the Uropeltidae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Uropeltidae
About the Tailspot Uropeltis
The Tailspot Uropeltis belongs to the Uropeltidae family, shield-tailed snakes. Burrowing snakes with a bizarre, roughened tail tip.
Shield-tailed snakes are specialized burrowers named for the odd, often disc-like or spiny shield at the end of the tail, which they use to plug their tunnels. They are small, harmless, and rarely seen above ground.
Its genus, Uropeltis, covers shieldtail snakes (earth snakes). Burrowing snakes of South Asia named for the odd, hardened shield at the tip of the tail.
The Tailspot Uropeltis is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.
It has been recorded in India, Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka.
Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.
Frequently asked: Tailspot Uropeltis
- Is the Tailspot Uropeltis venomous?
- No. The Tailspot Uropeltis (Uropeltis caudomaculata) 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 Tailspot Uropeltis poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tailspot Uropeltis is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Tailspot Uropeltis dangerous?
- The Tailspot Uropeltis is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Tailspot Uropeltis live?
- The Tailspot Uropeltis has verified records in 4 countries, including India, Germany, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Uropeltidae snakes
Bombay Earth SnakeUropeltis macrolepis
Phipson's ShieldtailUropeltis phipsonii
Elliot's Earth SnakeUropeltis ellioti
Nilgiri UropeltisUropeltis ocellata
Kerala ShieldtailUropeltis ceylanica
Boulenger's Earth SnakeUropeltis myhendrae
Shevaroy Hills earth snakeUropeltis shorttii
Bicatenate UropeltisUropeltis bicatenata
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
- Uropeltidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Uropeltis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Uropeltis caudomaculata
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. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.