Barred Wolf Snake
Lycodon striatus
A small, sharp-toothed colubrid with narrow crossbands, frequently confused with venomous kraits.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.3-0.5 m (1-1.6 ft)
- Range
- South and Southwest Asia
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Overview
The Barred Wolf Snake is a small, harmless colubrid found across South and Southwest Asia, notable for its narrow, prominent crossbanding and enlarged front teeth resembling small fangs, which give the genus its wolf-related common name.
It is frequently mistaken for the venomous Common Krait due to superficial pattern similarity, though it is entirely harmless to humans.
How to identify it
- Dark brown to blackish body with narrow, well-defined white or cream crossbands
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Head slightly distinct from neck with enlarged front teeth (not fangs)
- Round pupils
- Adults typically 0.3-0.5 m in length
- Distinguished from the venomous Common Krait by its smaller size, glossy smooth scales, and lack of a distinct vertebral ridge
Habitat & range
Found in dry scrub, rocky areas, and agricultural land at low elevations across India, Pakistan, Iran, and neighboring countries, often near human habitation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and terrestrial, hunting small lizards, especially geckos, and occasionally other small snakes. It may bite defensively if provoked but poses no medical threat. It is oviparous, laying small clutches of a few eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Barred Wolf Snake venomous?
No, it is harmless to humans, though it is often mistaken for the venomous krait.
How can you tell it apart from a krait?
It is smaller, has glossy smooth scales, and lacks the enlarged vertebral scale row seen in kraits.
What does it eat?
Mainly small lizards, especially geckos.
Where is it found?
Across dry scrub and rocky habitats of South and Southwest Asia.
Barred Wolf Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Barred Wolf Snake.
