Uropeltidae
Three-lined Shieldtail
HarmlessPlatyplectrurus trilineatus
2 photographs of the Three-lined Shieldtail. (c) John Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Three-lined Shieldtail (Platyplectrurus trilineatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Uropeltidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Uropeltidae
About the Three-lined Shieldtail
Platyplectrurus trilineatus, commonly known as the tri-striped shield-tail snake or the lined thorntail snake, is a species of uropeltid snake endemic to the Western Ghats of Southern India. Like most other shieldtail snakes, it is presumed to be a nocturnal, fossorial snake inhabiting evergreen forests. A very rare snake, about which nothing is known in terms of live colouration and natural history.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Three-lined Shieldtail
- Is the Three-lined Shieldtail venomous?
- No. The Three-lined Shieldtail (Platyplectrurus trilineatus) 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 Three-lined Shieldtail poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Three-lined Shieldtail is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Three-lined Shieldtail dangerous?
- The Three-lined Shieldtail is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Three-lined Shieldtail live?
- The Three-lined Shieldtail has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Uropeltidae snakes
Madurai ShieldtailPlatyplectrurus madurensis
Bombay Earth SnakeUropeltis macrolepis
Phipson's ShieldtailUropeltis phipsonii
Elliot's Earth SnakeUropeltis ellioti
Khaire's black earth snakeMelanophidium khairei
Indian Black Earth SnakeMelanophidium wynaudense
Nilgiri Burrowing SnakePlectrurus perroteti
Schneider's ShieldtailRhinophis oxyrhynchus
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
- Platyplectrurus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Platyplectrurus trilineatus
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.