Colubridae
White-striped Reed Snake
HarmlessCalamaria lateralis


2 photographs of the White-striped Reed Snake. (c) Jeremy Loh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The White-striped Reed Snake (Calamaria lateralis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the White-striped Reed Snake
Calamaria lateralis, the white-striped reed snake, is a species of snake in the family, Colubridae. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: White-striped Reed Snake
- Is the White-striped Reed Snake venomous?
- No. The White-striped Reed Snake (Calamaria lateralis) 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 White-striped Reed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-striped Reed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the White-striped Reed Snake dangerous?
- The White-striped Reed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the White-striped Reed Snake live?
- The White-striped Reed Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Malaysia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Pink-headed Reed SnakeCalamaria schlegeli
Collared Reed SnakeCalamaria pavimentata
Northern Reed SnakeCalamaria septentrionalis
Variable Reed SnakeCalamaria lumbricoidea
Schmidt's Reed SnakeCalamaria schmidti
Gervais' Worm SnakeCalamaria gervaisii
Lined Reed SnakeCalamaria griswoldi
Linne's Dwarf SnakeCalamaria linnaei
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 lateralis
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.