Colubridae
Terre-de-Haut Racer
HarmlessAlsophis sanctonum
The Terre-de-Haut Racer (Alsophis sanctonum) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Terre-de-Haut Racer
The Terre-de-Haut racer (Alsophis sanctonum) is a species of snake found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles. This species is endemic to Terre-de-Bas Island and Terre-de-Haut Island which make up the Îles des Saintes. Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut are very small islands with a total area of approximately 13 km2. Because of its presence only on this small area, it is a highly protected species.
It can reach nearly a meter in length. It feeds on lizards and small rodents. It rarely bites humans, but may release a foul-smelling (though harmless) cloacal secretion when disturbed.
Habitat
Alsophis sanctonum occurs along mangrove edges, roadsides, gardens, wooded areas, preferentially in semi-deciduous forest with Pimenta racemosa, Pisonia subcordata, Guapinol, and Bursera simaruba. It is present in areas less frequented by humans.
Subspecies
A. sanctonum sanctonum Barbour, 1915 or Terre-de-Haut racer.
A. sanctonum danforthi Cochran, 1938 or Terre-de-Bas racer.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Terre-de-Haut Racer
- Is the Terre-de-Haut Racer venomous?
- No. The Terre-de-Haut Racer (Alsophis sanctonum) 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 Terre-de-Haut Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Terre-de-Haut Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Terre-de-Haut Racer dangerous?
- The Terre-de-Haut Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Terre-de-Haut Racer live?
- The Terre-de-Haut Racer has verified records in 4 countries, including Guadeloupe, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago. 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
- Alsophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Alsophis sanctonum
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.