Colubridae
Western Graceful Brown Snake
HarmlessRhadinaea hesperia

The Western Graceful Brown Snake (Rhadinaea hesperia) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Western Graceful Brown Snake
Rhadinaea hesperia, the western graceful brown snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in Mexico.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Western Graceful Brown Snake
- Is the Western Graceful Brown Snake venomous?
- No. The Western Graceful Brown Snake (Rhadinaea hesperia) 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 Western Graceful Brown Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Graceful Brown Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Western Graceful Brown Snake dangerous?
- The Western Graceful Brown Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Western Graceful Brown Snake live?
- The Western Graceful Brown Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Pine Woods LittersnakeRhadinaea flavilata
Adorned Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea decorata
Pine-Oak SnakeRhadinaea taeniata
Crowned Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea laureata
Gaige's Pine Forest SnakeRhadinaea gaigeae
Nuevo Leon Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea montana
Thick Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea calligaster
Myers' Graceful Brown SnakeRhadinaea myersi
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
- Rhadinaea
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhadinaea hesperia
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.