Is the Trevelyan's Earth Snake venomous?

No. The Trevelyan's Earth Snake (Rhinophis homolepis) 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 Trevelyan's Earth Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Trevelyan's Earth Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Trevelyan's Earth Snake live?

The Trevelyan's Earth Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Sri Lanka, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Uropeltidae

Trevelyan's Earth Snake

Harmless

Rhinophis homolepis

Trevelyan's Earth Snake — Rhinophis homolepis, (c) Nikini Kulasinghe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Trevelyan's Earth Snake. (c) Nikini Kulasinghe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Trevelyan's Earth Snake (Rhinophis homolepis) is a non-venomous snake in the Uropeltidae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Family: Uropeltidae

About the Trevelyan's Earth Snake

Rhinophis homolepis, commonly known as Trevelyan's earth snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to the rain forests and grasslands of Sri Lanka.

Description

Dorsum brown. A series of yellow triangular spots along each side of the body. Ventrum yellow, with a black spot on each scale.

Total length 27.5 cm (10+3⁄4 in).

Dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody (in 19 rows behind the head). Ventrals 190–204; subcaudals 3–6.

Snout acutely pointed. Rostral obtusely keeled above, about 2/5 the length of the shielded part of the head. Nasals separated by the rostral. Eye in the ocular shield. No supraoculars. Frontal usually longer than broad. No temporals. No mental groove. Diameter of body 26 to 30 times in the total length. Ventrals only slightly larger than the contiguous scales. Tail ending in a large rugose shield, which is neither truncated nor spinose at the end. Caudal disc as long as the shielded part of the head.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Trevelyan's Earth Snake

Is the Trevelyan's Earth Snake venomous?: No. The Trevelyan's Earth Snake (Rhinophis homolepis) 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 Trevelyan's Earth Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Trevelyan's Earth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Trevelyan's Earth Snake dangerous?: The Trevelyan's Earth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Trevelyan's Earth Snake live?: The Trevelyan's Earth Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Sri Lanka, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Sri Lanka India

More Uropeltidae 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: Uropeltidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Rhinophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Rhinophis homolepis

Keep learning

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