Is the Thomas's Racer venomous?

No. The Thomas's Racer (Pseudalsophis thomasi) 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 Thomas's Racer poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Thomas's Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Thomas's Racer dangerous?

The Thomas's Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Colubridae

Thomas's Racer

Harmless

Pseudalsophis thomasi

Thomas's Racer — Pseudalsophis thomasi, © miked2000

6 photographs of the Thomas's Racer. © miked2000.

The Thomas's Racer (Pseudalsophis thomasi) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.

Family: Colubridae

About the Thomas's Racer

Pseudalsophis thomasi, or Thomas' racer, a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to several islands in the Galápagos group.

Etymology

The genus name Pseudalsophis comes from the name of a genus of Caribbean snakes Alsophis due to their superficial similarities, combined with the Greek word pseudo meaning false. The specific name is in honor of the herpetologist Robert A. Thomas.

Description

Diurnal snakes, active throughout the day with the exception of hot midday hours. They can be found in rocky areas, deciduous forest, and dry grassland habitats. Foraging predators they feed on small animals such as lizards (Microlophus jacobii), geckos (Phyllodactylus maresi), snakes, birds, and insects. Snakes are mildly venomous enough to endanger small prey items but not enough to harm a human. Thomas's Racers have no natural predators however they are preyed upon by introduced black rats.

Distribution

Thomas's racer is endemic to the islands of Santiago, Bartolomé, and Rábida. Its total estimated range is approximately 459 km2 It is the more common of the two snake species found on Santiago and Rábida, the other being the much rarer Pseudalsophis hephaestus or Santiago racer. It is also the only snake species known to be present on Bartolomé.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Thomas's Racer

Is the Thomas's Racer venomous?: No. The Thomas's Racer (Pseudalsophis thomasi) 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 Thomas's Racer poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Thomas's Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Thomas's Racer dangerous?: The Thomas's Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Why is it called the Thomas's Racer?: The genus name Pseudalsophis comes from the name of a genus of Caribbean snakes Alsophis due to their superficial similarities, combined with the Greek word pseudo meaning false. The specific name is in honor of the herpetologist Robert A. Thomas.

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

Keep learning

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