Top 14 Non-Venomous Snakes

Today we will in list all Top 14 Non-Venomous snakes, or maybe we include some snake with mild venom.

Colubridae (Colubrids)

The Colubridae family comprises snakes (colubrids), most of which are non-venomous or possess venom that is too weak to cause any harm to human life. However, there are some exceptions, such as the boomslang and twig snake, whose bites have been reported to cause fatalities. Colubrids have their fangs located not at the front of the mouth but angled at the back. Hence, they are also noted as rear-fanged snakes. Unlike the elapids and vipers, the fangs of the colubrids are not hollow, but simply grooved to channel the venom when a bite is laid. The family of colubrids is known as the largest family of snakes, some common examples of which include:

1. The Scarlet Snake

DESCRIPTION:

Scarlet snakes are fairly small -- to 20 in (51 cm) -- relatively slender snakes that are patterned with alternating red, black, and white or yellow bands. Scarlet snakes are one of the three "tricolored" snakes in our region and, like the harmless scarlet kingsnake, have red bands that do not touch yellow bands. However, this species can be distinguished from the scarlet kingsnake because the kingsnake's bands completely or nearly completely encircle the body while the bands of the scarlet snake do not extend onto the venter, leaving the underside solid white, pink, or grayish. The venomous eastern coral snake has a black snout and red bands that touch yellow ones. Scarlet snakes generally have a snout that is pointed and red and red bands that are wider than bands of other colors. Young resemble adults.

HABITAT:

Scarlet snakes are found throughout Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of the southeastern U.S., from the Pine Barrens of New Jersey west to Oklahoma and throughout Florida. Within this region, however, they are generally most common in the Coastal Plain and Sandhills and are uncommon and scattered in distribution within the Piedmont. In our region, they are found in all but the mountainous regions of northern Georgia and northwestern South Carolina. Scarlet snakes are adept burrowers and prefer forested habitats with dry sandy soils. They are frequently found in pine forest and sandhill scrub habitats.

2. The Desert Kingsnake

 The Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula splendida) is a subspecies of kingsnake native to Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. It is nonvenomous, colored yellow and black. The desert kingsnake's diet consists of rodents, lizards, and smaller snakes, including rattlesnakes.They normally grow 3–4 feet long with a maximum length of 6.8 feet. They are docile creatures when coming face to face with humans. If they do not try to escape, often they will "play dead" by flipping over onto their backs and lying motionless. Some who domesticate kingsnakes, such as ranchers, do so in the hopes that the kingsnakes will feed on other snakes which might present more of a threat.

PREY:

This snake is known to be a powerful constrictor, and therefore its diet consists of mostly mice if domestic, and other rodents if wild. It also can feed on clutches of reptile eggs detected beneath the surface via smell. In part because of its resistance to pitviper venom, the desert kingsnake is able to consume young diamondback rattlesnakes that are common within its range, and at the scent of L. getula even adult western diamonbacks edge hastily backward, shielding their heads with defensive loops. 

3. Western Coachwhip

Coachwhips are thin-bodied snakes with small heads and large eyes with round pupils. They vary greatly in color, but most reflect a proper camouflage for their natural habitat. M. f. testaceus is typically a shade of light brown with darker brown flecking, but in the western area of Texas, where the soil color is a shade of pink, the coachwhips are also pink in color. M. f. piceus was given its common name because specimens frequently, but not always, have some red in their coloration. Coachwhip scales are patterned so at first glance, the snake appears braided. Subspecies can be difficult to distinguish in areas where their ranges overlap. Adult sizes of 127–183 cm (50–72 in) are common. The record sized specimen, of the Eastern coachwhip race, was 259 cm (102 in).[2] Young specimens, mostly just over 100 cm (39 in) in length, were found to have weighed 180 to 675 g (6.3 to 23.8 oz), whereas good-sized mature adults measuring 163 to 235 cm (64 to 93 in) weighed in at 1.2 to 1.8 kg (2.6 to 4.0 lb).

MYTHS:

The primary myth concerning coachwhips, that they chase people, likely arises from the snake and the person both being frightened, and both just happening to be going the same way to escape. Coachwhips are fast snakes, often moving faster than a human, and thus give an impression of aggression should they move toward the person.

The legend of the hoop snake may refer to the coachwhip snakes.

Another myth of the rural southeastern United States is of a snake that, when disturbed, would chase a person down, wrap him up in its coils, whip him to death with its tail, and then make sure he is dead by sticking its tail up the victim's nose to see if he is still breathing. In actuality, coachwhips are neither constrictors (snakes that dispatch their prey by suffocating with their coils) nor strong enough to overpower a person. Also, they do not whip with their tails, even though their tails are long and look very much like a whips.

Their bites can be painful, but generally are harmless unless they become infected.

 

4. Eastern Ribbon Snake / Garter Snake

 Ribbon snakes are slender snakes that range from 16-28 in. (41-71 cm) long. They have three light, usually yellow, stripes (two along the sides and one down the center of the back) against a dark background. Between the yellow lateral stripes and the belly there is a brown lateral stripe. Ribbon snakes resemble the closely-related eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), however ribbon snakes are generally more slender, have unpatterned lip scales, and the lateral stripes are found on scale rows 3 and 4 (in garter snakes they are on rows 2 and 3). They have a plain yellowish belly, and keeled scales. There are four subspecies of T. sauritus, of which two occur in Georgia and South Carolina: Thamnophis sauritus sauritus and Thamnophis sauritus sackenii (middorsal stripe of this subspecies is less distinct).

5. Grey-banded Kingsnake

  The gray-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) makes a marvelous pet. It does not attain a large size, is usually a good feeder on easily acquired food items, and it exhibits beautiful coloration.

Gray-banded kingsnakes are naturally found in west Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico. They are denizens of rocky haunts found in the Chihuahuan Desert. Because of its intense variability, the gray-banded kingsnake is one of the most sought-after snakes found in the United States. Indeed, many people from all walks of life make a yearly journey to west Texas in the hopes of finding a gray-banded kingsnake.

Gray-banded kingsnakes have a docile demeanor and usually feed readily on domesticated mice. Because of this, adults of this species make wonderful captives for first time snake keepers.  If you purchase a hatchling, make sure you acquire one that has fed on pink mice. Gray-banded kingsnakes come in a dazzlingly array of colors ranging from brilliant light gray and orange to darker morphs.

6. Baird's Rat Snake

Adults can reach 64 to 140 cm (25 to 55 in) in total length (body + tail). The dorsal color pattern consists of an orange-yellow to bright yellow, or a darker salmon ground color, overlaid with four stripes that run from the neck to the tail. The belly is generally gray to yellow, darkening near the tail.

7. Corn Snake

Corn snakes are slender with a length of 24 to 72 inches (61 to 182 cm). They are usually orange or brownish-yellow, with large, black-edged red blotches down the middle of the back. On the belly are alternating rows of black and white marks, resembling a checkerboard pattern. Considerable variation occurs in the coloration and patterns of individual snakes, depending on the age of the snake and the region of the country in which it is found. Hatchlings lack much of the bright coloration found on adults.

Corn snakes are primarily diurnal. They readily climb trees and enter abandoned buildings in search of prey. However, they are very secretive and spend most of their time underground prowling through rodent burrows. They also often hide under loose bark and beneath logs, rocks, and other debris during the day. 

8. California Kingsnake

 Active during daylight in cooler weather and at night, dawn, and dusk when temperatures are high. 

When disturbed, generally not aggressive, but sometimes vibrates the tail quickly, hisses, and rolls into a ball, hiding the head and showing the vent with it's lining exposed.This species of snake are immune to rattle snake venom.

Eats a wide variety of prey, including rodents and other small mammals, lizards, lizard eggs, snakes (including rattlesnakes), snake eggs, turtle eggs and hatchlings, frogs, salamanders, birds, bird eggs and chicks, and large invertebrates.  A powerful constrictor, coiling tightly around its prey.

 

9. Rough Green Snake

  Rough Green Snakes are fairly long – to 32 in (81 cm) – slender, bright green snakes with yellow or whitish bellies that spend much of their time climbing in vegetation. Their bright green color easily distinguishes them from all other snakes in Georgia and South Carolina but the similar Smooth Green Snake replaces this species in the Appalachian Mountains and the Northeast. Rough Green Snakes have keeled scales and large eyes. After death the color of green snakes fades to blue or black and dead individuals may resemble small black racers. Young Green Snakes resemble adults.

Rough Green Snakes are found throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast from the Pine Barrens of New Jersey west to central Texas and south throughout Florida. They are common in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain but are absent from the higher elevations of the mountains.

Rough green snakes can be found in a variety of habitats but are most common in open forests and edge habitats. They can be particularly abundant along the margins of wetlands and rivers, where they search overhanging vegetation for insects.

 

10. Red Milk Snake

 The Red Milk Snake is a tri-colored snake with broad red saddle-shaped markings bordered with black separated by pale bands. There are usually between 19 and 30 red or red-brown saddle shaped blotches edged with black, these blotches extend down the sides. The pale background color is white, pale gray, cream, or tan. There is often a row of black spots along the lower sides. The saddle markings become complete rings around the tail. Juveniles have similar pattern to adults but are often more brightly colored. The underside is white with black checker pattern. The head usually has a large red blotch edged in black. The snout, lips and chin are cream.

FOOD: 

feeds on lizards, small snakes, rodents. Prey is killed by constriction.

NOTES:
When disturbed, they will often thrash around and may bite and excrete a foul smelling musk. Red Milk Snakes can be kept in captivity and wild caught adults settle down fairly easily.

11. King Ratsnake

 Elaphe carinata is a large heavy built snake, ranging in size from 4-6ft, (100-200cm), with some specimens becoming larger, so provide with a spacious terraium with a loose substrate as they like to dig. Being mostly terrestrial they are known to inhabit open forest areas, bamboo thickets, fields and meadows and have also been collected near houses. Specimens have been collected during the day as well as at night.
E. carinata are very easy to keep and breed. They will eat almost anything including rodents, birds and bird eggs, and other snakes. They have even been known to eat their own kind, so be careful not to house larger animals with younger ones.
Mating usually takes place in the spring with 6-12 eggs being laid in early-mid summer, taking 40-60 days for incubation. Hibernate for 2-4 months for best results.
The common name "stink snake" or "stinking Goddess" refers to this species' highly developed post-anal glands, that when picked up are frequently emptied, with a very strong, bad odor.
The common name of "King ratsnake" refers to its habit of eating other snakes.
There are three recognized subspecies, E. c. carinata found throughout most of China and northern Vietnam. E. c. yonaguniensis, found on the island of Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
E. c. deqenensis, known from only a few specimens, are found only in Northwest Yunnan province, China. 

12. Black Rat Snake

 The common rat snake is medium-sized, averaging 42 to 72 inches (106.7 to 183 cm) in length. At the widest point of the snake's body, its average diameter is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The rat snake is covered with keeled scales, and has a powerful slender body with a wedge-shaped head. The anal plate of the common rat snake is divided. A variety of subspecies is found across the United States.

The black rat snake, as the name implies, is completely black except for a white chin. Hatchlings of the black rat snake have a pale grey background with black blotches along the back. As the snake matures, the color becomes darker until the snake reaches its adult phase. Hatchlings are often mistaken for copperheads because their skin patterns are similar.
Common rat snakes tend to be shy and, if possible, will avoid being confronted. If these snakes are seen and confronted by danger, they tend to freeze and remain motionless. Some adults attempt to protect themselves. They coil their body and vibrate their tails in dead leaves to simulate a rattle. If the snakes continue to be provoked, they will strike.
Rat snakes produce a foul-smelling musk and release it on the predator if they are picked up, spreading the musk around with their tail. The musk acts as a deterrent. A few of the rat snake subspecies tend to be more aggressive. The Texas rat snake and the black rat snake are very snappy, while the yellow rat snake is more passive. When alarmed, the Everglades rat snake swims away through the swampy waters. Rat snakes are excellent swimmers.

 

13. Dog-Faced Water Snake (cerberus rynchops)

  A rear-fanged and is mildly venomous.

In captivity, it is observed to move in a sidewinding direction on land. In the BBC series 'Life in Cold Blood' it was filmed adapting this sidewinding technique to jump across a mudflat in Singapore ( up until then no snakes were considered able to truly jump ). It also has a prehensile tail that would suggest it could climb mangrove trees. It is now known to give birth to live young, numbering from 8 to 30, either in water or on land.

It is a quite docile, mild-tempered and a hardy snake; in recent years it has become a welcome addition to snake hobbyists in the Philippines. It also owes its popularity to its bright yellow to orange belly coloring, mostly of females.

 This is a saltwater-tolerant species found in Australia (North Territory, Queensland, West Australia), New Guinea, Indonesia (Ambon, Babi, Bacan = Batjan, Bali, Bangka, Buru, Butung, Dolak, Enggano, Flores, Goram, Halmahera, Java, Kalimantan, Lombok, Mentawai Archipelago, Nako, Natuna Archipelago, Nias, Riau Archipelago, Roti, Sangihe Archipelago, Saparua, Seram, Simeulue, Singapore, Sulawesi, Sula Archipelago, Sumatra, Sumba, Sumbawa, Talaud Archipelago, Ternate, Timor, We, Western New Guinea, Wetar); Bangladesh, Cambodia, India (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, including Pulau Tioman), Burma (Myanmar), Philippine Islands (including Palawan, Panay, Luzon), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Race novaeguinea is found in Indonesia (western New Guinea). Type locality: "Ganjam" (Orissa State, SE India)

 

14. Banded File Water Snake

  This water snake is non-venomous and can have to harm to humans. Can be found in the Philippines. Inhabits on mangrove swamps.

Unlike other Marin Snakes of Hydrophiinae Family, this species bear thin and slender tail like terrestrial species. However body patterns and colour always gives confusion with venomous Sea Snakes.Morphologically it looks very close to Sea Snakes (Subfamily Hydrophiinae) due to presence of dark bands on rough body and similar head. However in former tail is compressed but not "Oar-like" which is specific character of Sea Snakes. Also head and body scales of A. granulatus are very minute and hard to count but in Sea Snakes they are found in countable and definable limits.