Madurai Shieldtail

About the Madurai Shieldtail

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Madurai Shieldtail

Is the Madurai Shieldtail venomous?

No. The Madurai Shieldtail (Uropeltis madurensis) 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 Madurai Shieldtail poisonous?

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

Is the Madurai Shieldtail dangerous?

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

Where does the Madurai Shieldtail live?

The Madurai 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

• 
  Bombay Earth Snake
  Uropeltis macrolepis
• 
  Phipson's Shieldtail
  Uropeltis phipsonii
• 
  Elliot's Earth Snake
  Uropeltis ellioti
• 
  Nilgiri Uropeltis
  Uropeltis ocellata
• 
  Kerala Shieldtail
  Uropeltis ceylanica
• 
  Boulenger's Earth Snake
  Uropeltis myhendrae
• 
  Shevaroy Hills earth snake
  Uropeltis shorttii
• 
  Bicatenate Uropeltis
  Uropeltis bicatenata

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

Uropeltis

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

Uropeltis madurensis

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.