Variable Reed Snake

About the Variable Reed Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Variable Reed Snake

Is the Variable Reed Snake venomous?

No. The Variable Reed Snake (Calamaria lumbricoidea) 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 Variable Reed Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Variable Reed Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Variable Reed Snake live?

The Variable Reed Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Pink-headed Reed Snake
  Calamaria schlegeli
• 
  Collared Reed Snake
  Calamaria pavimentata
• 
  Northern Reed Snake
  Calamaria septentrionalis
• 
  Schmidt's Reed Snake
  Calamaria schmidti
• 
  Gervais' Worm Snake
  Calamaria gervaisii
• 
  Lined Reed Snake
  Calamaria griswoldi
• 
  Linne's Dwarf Snake
  Calamaria linnaei
• 
  Lovi’s Reed Snake
  Calamaria lovii

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

Calamaria

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

Calamaria lumbricoidea

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.