Is the Tobago Stream Snake venomous?

No. The Tobago Stream Snake (Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae) 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 Tobago Stream Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tobago Stream Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Tobago Stream Snake dangerous?

The Tobago Stream Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Tobago Stream Snake live?

The Tobago Stream Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Trinidad and Tobago. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Tobago Stream Snake

Harmless

Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae

The Tobago Stream Snake (Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family: Colubridae

About the Tobago Stream Snake

Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae, the Tobago stream snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in the northeastern forests of the island of Tobago.

Etymology

The species name pseudoreginae was chosen because it was previously considered to be a member of the separate species Erythrolamprus reginae.

Classification

Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae belongs to the genus Erythrolamprus, which contains over 50 species. The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae. The relationships of Erythrolamprus species located in northern South America (Venezuela) can be shown in the cladogram below, based on molecular DNA analysis:

Description

Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae is dark moss green to olive brown colored, with a lighter yellow to red colored belly, and a faint lateral stripe. Specimens measured in length from 47.6 cm (18.7 in) to 56.6 cm (22.3 in). It is diurnal, and likely preys upon small ground-dwelling frogs.

Distribution

It lives in northeastern Tobago, within forested ravines of the Main Ridge. Its habitat appears to be restricted to the lower montane rainforests of the region.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tobago Stream Snake

Is the Tobago Stream Snake venomous?: No. The Tobago Stream Snake (Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae) 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 Tobago Stream Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tobago Stream Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Tobago Stream Snake dangerous?: The Tobago Stream Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Tobago Stream Snake live?: The Tobago Stream Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Trinidad and Tobago. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Tobago Stream Snake?: The species name pseudoreginae was chosen because it was previously considered to be a member of the separate species Erythrolamprus reginae.

Where it is found

Trinidad and Tobago

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: Erythrolamprus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae

Keep learning

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