Colubridae
Tikiri Keelback
HarmlessFowlea unicolor
4 photographs of the Tikiri Keelback. (c) Roland Gromes, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Tikiri Keelback (Fowlea unicolor) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 24 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Tikiri Keelback
Fowlea unicolor is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. As currently known, it is endemic to Sri Lanka, although it might also occur in southern India.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Tikiri Keelback
- Is the Tikiri Keelback venomous?
- No. The Tikiri Keelback (Fowlea unicolor) 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 Tikiri Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tikiri Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Tikiri Keelback dangerous?
- The Tikiri Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Tikiri Keelback live?
- The Tikiri Keelback has verified records in 24 countries, including India, Thailand, 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
- Fowlea
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Fowlea unicolor
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.