India is home to a vast array of wildlife, including some of the world’s most fascinating snakes. While many people associate snakes with danger, it’s important to know that not all snakes are venomous.
In fact, the majority of snakes found in India are non-venomous, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance. This guide will explore some of the most common and interesting non-venomous snakes in India.
Poisonous vs. Venomous: What’s the Difference?
Before diving into the list of non-venomous snakes, let’s clarify a common misconception. The terms “poisonous” and “venomous” are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different things:
- Poisonous: Refers to organisms that are harmful when touched or ingested. For example, if you eat a poisonous plant or animal, or if you touch it and absorb toxins through your skin, it can cause harm.
- Venomous: Refers to organisms that inject toxins directly into another organism through a bite or sting. For example, venomous snakes inject venom through their fangs when they bite.
So, when we refer to “non-venomous snakes,” we’re talking about snakes that do not inject venom through their bites and are generally harmless to humans. Now let’s get to the list you were waiting for:
10 Non-Venomous Snakes Found in India
1. Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa)
The Indian Rat Snake, also known as Oriental Rat Snake or Dhaman, is one of the most widespread non-venomous snakes in India. It is a large, slender snake that can grow up to 6 to 8 feet in length, though some individuals may reach over 10 feet. The snake’s coloration varies from olive green to brown, and it often has black crossbands near its tail. Despite its size, the Indian Rat Snake is non-aggressive and typically flees when encountered by humans. It is diurnal, meaning it is most active during the day, making it one of the more commonly sighted snakes in India.
Indian Rat Snakes are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, and even urban areas. They are frequently seen in rural and semi-urban settings, where they play an essential role in controlling rodent populations. These snakes are distributed across the entire Indian subcontinent, from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the southernmost tip of the country, and can be encountered in states such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
2. Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator)
The Checkered Keelback, also known as the Asiatic Water Snake, is a common non-venomous snake found near freshwater bodies across India. It has a distinctive checkered pattern on its body, which can range in color from yellow to brown or green. The snake’s keeled scales give it a rough texture, and it can grow up to 3.5 feet in length. The Checkered Keelback is semi-aquatic and is an excellent swimmer, often seen gliding through the water in search of prey.
This species is typically found in or near water bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes. It feeds primarily on fish and amphibians, making it an important part of the aquatic ecosystem. The Checkered Keelback can be encountered throughout India, particularly in states with extensive water networks, such as Kerala, Assam, and Bihar. It is also found in urban areas with access to water, where it can be seen in city ponds and reservoirs.
3. Common Sand Boa (Eryx johnii)
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Common Sand Boa, also known as the Indian Sand Boa, is a stout, heavy-bodied snake that is well-adapted to life in arid environments. It can grow up to 3 feet in length and is characterized by its sandy or reddish-brown coloration, which provides excellent camouflage in its natural habitat. Sand Boas are primarily nocturnal and are known for their burrowing behavior; they spend much of their time buried in the sand or loose soil, emerging at night to hunt.
Common Sand Boas are found in arid and semi-arid regions across India, including the deserts of Rajasthan and the dry plains of Gujarat and Maharashtra. They are often encountered by farmers while plowing fields, as these snakes are attracted to the loose soil. The Sand Boa is a constrictor, feeding mainly on small mammals such as rodents, which it subdues by coiling around and suffocating them. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, these snakes are harmless to humans.
4. Common Wolf Snake (Lycodon aulicus)
The Common Wolf Snake is a small, non-venomous snake known for its striking appearance. It has a glossy black or dark brown body with white or yellow bands running across it, which can sometimes lead to it being mistaken for the venomous Krait. Despite its fearsome name and appearance, the Common Wolf Snake is completely harmless to humans. It is a nocturnal species, often seen in and around human dwellings at night, where it hunts for lizards, particularly geckos.
Wolf Snakes are found across India, particularly in urban areas, forests, and agricultural lands. They are common in states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. These snakes are highly secretive and prefer to stay hidden during the day, emerging at night to hunt. When threatened, they may exhibit defensive behavior, such as striking repeatedly, but their bite poses no danger to humans.
5. Indian Rock Python (Python molurus)
The Indian Rock Python is one of the largest snakes in India, capable of growing over 20 feet in length, although most individuals are smaller. It has a thick, muscular body with a pattern of brown and yellow patches, which provides excellent camouflage in its natural habitat. Indian Rock Pythons are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they subdue their prey by wrapping around it and suffocating it. They feed on a variety of animals, including mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles.
These pythons are typically found in grasslands, swamps, forests, and near water bodies. They are excellent swimmers and can often be seen near rivers and lakes. The Indian Rock Python is distributed across India, with populations found in the Western Ghats, the forests of central India, and the Himalayan foothills. In states like Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Kerala, these pythons are protected under wildlife laws due to their declining population, making encounters with them rare and special.
6. Banded Racer (Argyrogena fasciolata)
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Banded Racer is a slender, non-venomous snake found throughout India. It is easily recognizable by its distinctive pattern of dark bands running along its light brown or grey body. Banded Racers are relatively small, usually growing up to 3 to 4 feet in length. These snakes are highly active and diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. They are known for their speed and agility, often seen darting through vegetation or across open ground in pursuit of prey.
Banded Racers are typically found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, and even urban areas. They are commonly encountered in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. These snakes primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and lizards, making them an important predator in controlling rodent populations. Despite their active nature and intimidating appearance, Banded Racers are completely harmless to humans and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of local ecosystems.
7. Common Cat Snake (Boiga trigonata)
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Common Cat Snake is a slender snake with large eyes that give it a cat-like appearance, hence its name. It has a light brown or gray body with dark brown spots and can grow up to 3 feet in length. This nocturnal snake is arboreal, meaning it spends much of its time in trees, where it hunts for birds, lizards, and small rodents.
Cat Snakes are commonly found in forests, gardens, and even in human dwellings, particularly in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Cat Snakes are considered mildly venomous, and even though they can deliver a painful bite if provoked, their venom is usually not harmful to humans (that’s why we still chose to include it in this list). They are shy and secretive by nature, often going unnoticed unless disturbed.
8. Indian Egg-Eater (Elachistodon westermanni)
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Indian Egg-Eater, also known as Westermann’s Snake, is a fascinating non-venomous snake species found in India. This snake is unique because it feeds exclusively on bird eggs. It has specialized adaptations for this diet, including flexible jaws and reduced teeth, which allow it to swallow eggs whole. The snake then uses bony protrusions in its throat to crack the eggshell, after which it consumes the contents and regurgitates the shell. The Indian Egg-Eater can grow up to 3 feet in length and has a slender, elongated body with brown or grayish coloration and faint patterns.
This species is found primarily in the forests and scrublands of northern and central India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. The Indian Egg-Eater is a secretive snake, often hiding in dense vegetation or burrows during the day and becoming active at night when it searches for nests. Due to its specialized diet, it is not commonly encountered, making sightings of this snake relatively rare. Despite its rarity, the Indian Egg-Eater plays an important role in controlling bird populations by preying on their eggs, thereby contributing to the ecological balance.
9. Trinket Snake (Coelognathus helena)
The Trinket Snake is a beautiful, non-venomous snake known for its tan to brown body with distinctive black markings on the head and neck. It is a medium-sized snake, typically growing to about 4 feet in length. The Trinket Snake is diurnal and highly active, often seen hunting for rodents, birds, and lizards during the day.
Trinket Snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. They are known for their bold behavior and are often encountered in human dwellings, where they help control rodent populations. Despite their somewhat aggressive demeanor when threatened, Trinket Snakes are harmless to humans.
10. Striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum)
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Striped Keelback is a small, non-venomous snake characterized by its yellowish-brown body with two prominent stripes running down its back. It is a highly active snake, often found near water sources, where it hunts for insects, frogs, and small fish. Striped Keelbacks are relatively small, typically growing to about 2 feet in length.
These snakes are commonly found in grasslands, fields, and near water bodies across India, including states like West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala. They are often mistaken for venomous snakes due to their rapid movements and defensive behavior, but they pose no threat to humans. Striped Keelbacks are beneficial to agriculture as they help control pest populations.
Final Thoughts
India is home to a diverse range of non-venomous snakes that play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance. These snakes are generally harmless to humans and are vital in controlling pest populations. Understanding and appreciating these gentle reptiles can help reduce the fear and misconceptions surrounding snakes and promote their conservation.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or just curious about snakes, learning about these non-venomous species is an excellent way to appreciate India’s rich biodiversity. Next time you encounter a snake, remember that not all are venomous, and many are essential to the health of our ecosystems.
