Blue is not a common color you would find in snakes, which makes them very interesting. They have also caused fascination in the exotic pet world. The majority of snakes are gray, brown, tan, or black, so finding or seeing a blue snake can be exciting.
There are a number of snakes that are blue, some are uniform blue others will have some blue coloration on them. Continue reading below to find out more about the 13 types of blue snakes.
Table of Contents
Are Blue Snakes Venomous?
All blue snakes are venomous, but their venom is not always dangerous to humans. The blue sea snakes and pit vipers are the most venomous of the blue snakes you may encounter and they should be dealt with great caution. A bite from one of the venomous blue snakes requires immediate medical attention.
13 Types of Blue Snakes?
The 13 types of blue snakes include:
1. Blue-lipped Sea Krait
Scientific name:Laticauda laticaudata.
Common name:blue-lipped sea krait, blue-banded sea krait, common sea krait.
The blue-lipped sea krait or the common sea krait is a venomous sea snake, found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. They have large ventral scales with females growing to 1070mm and males to 910mm in body length.
This striking blue and black banded sea snake can be found in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, New Guinea, Philippines, Fiji, Taiwan, Solomon Islands, and Australia, to name a few.
2. Blue Coral Snake
Scientific name:Calliophis bivirgatus.
Common name:blue coral snake, blue Malayan coral snake.
The blue coral snake belongs to the Elapidae family and is native to southeast Asia. It is a new world coral snake of medium size with a slender body. Adults can grow to 1.8 meters in length.
These snakes have a red tail, belly, and head with a dark blue to black on their backs with two large blue to white stripes on their flanks. These snakes are considered venomous with the occasional human death reported.
Their venom is not a neurotoxin, but rather a cytotoxin, which causes immediate paralysis of the victim, prey, or human.
3. Blue Racer
Scientific name:Coluber constrictor foxii.
Common name:blue racer.
Blue racers are non-venomous snakes that live in open and semi-open habitats, such as old fields and savannahs. They are common throughout North America.
These non-venomous snakes have cream to white colored ventral scales with brilliant blue to gray lateral scales and a brown to dark gray dorsum. They have black masts on their face with large eyes and brown to orange snouts.
This is a large snake that can grow to 152cm from snout to vent.
4. Eastern Indigo Snake
Scientific name:Drymarchon couperi.
Common name:eastern indigo snake, indigo, blue indigo snake, black snake, blue gopher snake, and blue bull snake.
The Eastern indigo snake is a large non-venomous snake that is native to the southeastern United States. These snakes are a uniform blue/black with some having a red to orange or tan-colored throat, chin, and cheeks.
They are smooth scaled snakes with males growing to 2.36 meters and weighing 4.5 kilograms and females growing to 2 meters and weighing 2.7 kilograms. They prefer flat woods, dry glade, cane fields, riparian thickets, well-drained sandy soil, and stream bottoms.
Due to their docile nature and blue coloration, these snakes have become desirable pets in the exotic pet trade. Though in some states in the US you will need a permit in order to keep one as a pet.
5. White-lipped Island Pit viper
Scientific name:Trimeresurus insularis.
Common name:white-lipped island pitviper, Sunda Island pitviper.
White-lipped island pit vipers are venomous snakes found in eastern Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is also known as the Sunda Island pit viper. Their color varies from green to blue/green, with some having yellow coloration.
They are tree dwellers and are often encountered in dry monsoon forests.
6. California red-sided garter snake
Scientific name:Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis.
Common name:California red-sided garter snake.
The California red-sided garters name is a slender snake indigenous to North America. The majority of these snakes have a blue stripe on the black and red background, growing to 100cm in total length.
These snakes feature a pattern of three stripes, which include blue and yellow stripes on a red body with black spots on the striped pattern. They can vary slightly in appearance with some having an orange or red head.
The California red-sided garter snake is found primarily in marshes and coastal dunes in California. They are listed as endangered in the US Endangered Species Act.
They are usually near permanent or almost permanent water areas, such as dunes, shallow waters, and marshlands. They sometimes live temporarily in woodlands and grasslands.
7. Eastern Garter Snake
Scientific name:Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis.
Common name:eastern garter snake.
The Eastern garter snake is a medium-sized North American snake. They grow to 66cm in body length with females being larger than males.
Their coloration can range from blue/green to brown or black with yellow or white stripes. They live in a variety of environments, preferring shrubby fields and grassy areas. They are often encountered in abandoned farmlands, outbuildings, and trash dumps.
8. Malabar Pit Viper
Scientific name:Craspedocephalus malabaricus.
Common name:Malabar pit viper, Malabar rock pit viper, rock viper.
The Malabar pit viper or the rock viper is a venomous pit viper endemic to southwestern India. These vipers can grow to 105 cm snout to vent. There are a number of different color morphs from yellow or green to brown or light blue. Some have patterns.
They are slow-moving snakes, but are fast to strike. If bitten, you can experience swelling and moderate pain which will subside within a couple of days.
9. Side-striped Palm Pit Viper
Scientific name:Bothriechis lateralis.
Common name:side-striped palm pitviper, side-striped palm viper.
The side-striped palm pit viper is a venomous snake found in the Costa Rica mountains, along with western Panama. They are slender snakes, usually emerald green to a blue/green color, with yellow alternating vertical bars.
The belly is a uniform yellow/green, both sides are bordered with a pale yellow stripe. Their green heads have a blueish stripe, which is not always present. Captive adults tend to turn blue with age with some blue specimens also being identified in the wild.
The side-striped pit viper can be found in the lower Montane forest, the lower Montane wet forest, and the Lower Montane rain forest. If bitten it is considered a serious bite and you should seek immediate medical attention, even though fatalities are rare. There is an anti-venom available.
10. Baron’s Green Racer
Scientific name:Philodryas baroni.
Common name:Baron’s green racer.
The Baron’s green racer is a venomous snake endemic to South America. These snakes can grow to 180cm in length with males being slightly smaller than the female. Their tails account for almost thirty percent of their body length.
They have small, elongated heads with a flexible nasal protuberance, or rostral scale, which is more predominant in males. They can vary in color from green to blue or brown. They can be uniform or they can have black stripes on their backs and sides.
These tree snakes are active during the day and are not usually aggressive if it gets a fright. They may emit a foul-smelling odor. They have rear fangs and are venomous, so they should be treated with caution and are considered dangerous to humans.
11. Guatemalan Palm-Pit Viper
Scientific name:Bothriechis bicolor.
Common name:Guatemalan palm-pit viper, Guatemalan tree viper.
The Guatemalan palm pit viper is a venomous pit viper found in Southern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Adults can grow up to 100cm with a slender body and color patterns ranging from a green to a blue/green ground color without any patterns.
Mexican specimens may have black dots or flecks or blue patches. The head is a uniform green with the interstitial skin being blue. Some scales may be bordered in blue. These snakes are usually encountered in rain forests.
12. Rock Rattlesnake
Scientific name:Crotalus lepidus.
Common name:rock rattlesnake, green rattlesnake, blue rattlesnake.
The rock rattlesnake belongs to the pit viper family and is a venomous snake in the southwestern United States and North Mexico. These are not large snakes, growing to around 81cm in length.
They have large round heads and heavy bodies, their tails have a rattle, which is made of keratin. Each time their molt, there is a new segment added to their rattle. They vary in color, usually reflecting the color of the rock in the snake’s environment.
Snakes near limestone tend to be light gray to blue in color, while those at higher altitudes have darker coloration. They have clear banding with no mottling or specks.
Their venom is haemotoxin, which has neurotoxic effects. A bite from this pit viper should be considered a medical emergency.
13. Eyelash Viper
Scientific name:Bothriechis schlegelii.
Common name:eyelash viper.
The eyelash viper is a venomous pit viper, which is native to Central and South America. These are small, tree-dwelling snakes, which come in a range of color variations, from green to blue.
These snakes grow to around 82cm in length with the females being longer than the males. They have a triangular-shaped head with needle-like fangs at the front of their jaw. They have heat organs on both sides of the head, right between the nostril and the eye.
The set of scales just above its eyes, look like eyelashes, which is where this viper got its name. These snakes can be found in red, yellow, green, brown, pink, and blue. Some have black or brown specs, others have no pattern.
They prefer humid and tropical areas with plenty of foliage and close to a permanent water source. They are mostly nocturnal, feeding on small birds, lizards, rodents, and frogs. They are aggressive and will strike if harassed.
Summary
While blue is not a common color for snakes, there are some that have blue, either as a base color or they have blue in their pattern. The blue coloration makes these snakes interesting and exciting to exotic pet enthusiasts around the world.
Further Reading:
- Types of black snakes.
- Types of pink snakes.
- Types of purple snakes.
FAQs
13 Amazing Blue Snakes in The World (with Pictures)? ›
According to the Moscow Zoo, the snakes are the blue variety of the white-lipped island pit viper - a venomous pit viper subspecies found in Indonesia and East Timor. Most white-lipped pit vipers are actually green, with the blue variety being quite rare.
Who is the blue snake? ›According to the Moscow Zoo, the snakes are the blue variety of the white-lipped island pit viper - a venomous pit viper subspecies found in Indonesia and East Timor. Most white-lipped pit vipers are actually green, with the blue variety being quite rare.
How many blue snakes are there in the world? ›| Rank | Snake | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Racer Snake | Northwestern United States/Ontario, Canada |
| 2 | Blue-Striped Garter Snake | Florida |
| 3 | Side-Striped Palm Pit Viper | Panama/Costa Rica/Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand |
| 4 | Blue Phase Common Tree Snake | Australia |
What is the scientific name of the blue racer snake? The scientific name of the blue racer snake is Coluber constrictor foxii. It is a subspecies of the Eastern racer snake, a species that is endemic to North and Central America.
What is the number 1 deadliest snake? ›The inland or western taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is the most venomous snake in the world, according to Britannica. Native to Australia, this snake has the deadliest venom based on median lethal dose, or LD50, tests on mice.
Where was the blue snake found? ›Found across the lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, this venomous, island-dwelling snake is an aggressive predator, and its tendency towards fight over flight has made it an intimidating presence in the streets of Bali, where it's one of the most common causes of venomous bites.
Is there a purple snake? ›Purple snakes are quite rare and desired among snake fans and owners for their unique colors. The demand for these unique-colored snakes has prompted breeders to create purple morphs of popular snake species such as the purple passion ball python. However, there are naturally occurring purple snakes.
What is the rarest snake color? ›Answer: I'd say you were correct the first time in thinking blue is the least common color in the herp world.
Are rainbow snakes rare? ›The Southern Florida Rainbow Snake is one of the rarest snakes in the United States. Only three specimens have ever been found, all between 1949 and 1952. The only known available specimen is secured in the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida.
What snake has blue venom? ›Venom. Blue coral snake venom has only occasionally caused human deaths. This species has unusually long venom glands, extending to 25% of the length of the body. Unlike other snakes of the family Elapidae, its venom does not contain a neurotoxin.
What snake is neon blue? ›
Neon blue morph, San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) San Mateo California. Wild populations of San Francisco Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia SFG. have a wide diversity of colors and patterns.
Is the rainbow snake real? ›The rainbow snake is a beautifully colored, non-venomous snake that is endangered in Maryland. It lives in streams, swamps and marshes in southern Maryland and eastern Virginia.
Is there a blue and purple snake? ›Basic description. Most adult Eastern Indigo Snakes are about 60-82 inches (152-213 cm) in total length. These large and thick-bodied snakes are glossy black and have iridescent purple or blue highlights when viewed in sunlight. The chin and throat are typically red or orangish, and the color may extend down the body.
What snake kills the fastest? ›Some fun facts about the Black Mamba:
They are some of the world's fastest snakes and are capable of speeds of more than 12 miles (19 km) per hour and hence will be the one which can kill the fastest. In the wild, a black mamba can live for up to 11 years.
After the king cobra, the black mamba is the longest venomous snake in the world. It is also the fastest-moving snake in the world, reaching up to 23km/h.
What is largest snake in the world? ›Reticulated pythons are considered to be the longest snake. The world record for the length of a reticulated python is a whopping 32 ft and 9 ½ inches!
What snakes are turquoise? ›The Garter Snake is a distinctive turquoise or blue-green colored snake with light stripes and rows of black spots running down the length of its body.
Is there a blue viper? ›The white-lipped island pit viper, also known as a blue viper gets its nickname for their bright blue-green scales. The blue subspecies we have here at the zoo, are native to Komodo island in Indonesia. The 'blue viper' is venomous, and uses this venom to weaken its prey!
Why did they get rid of blue snakes? ›An Allen's Lollies spokesman said the changes were about “streamlining the portfolio” and a result of removing artificial colouring from all products. “We had to release the blue snake back to the wild and send our blue racing car to the spray painters.
Can you own a rainbow snake? ›An average-sized adult Rainbow Snake can be kept in a 55 – 75 gallon aquarium. They are not comfortable unless able to burrow, so cypress mulch, eucalyptus bark and similar materials should be used as substrates.
Where is the rainbow snake? ›
Distribution and Habitat: Rainbow snakes are found in the Coastal Plain of the southern United States from southern Virginia to eastern Louisiana and are absent from the Piedmont and Mountains. A small population of rainbow snakes once inhabited the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida .
What color is rainbow snake? ›Description. Dorsally, rainbow snakes have smooth, glossy bluish-black back scales, with three red stripes. They have short tails, with a spiny tip which they sometimes use as a probe. Adults may show yellow coloration along the sides and on the head.
Which is the most beautiful snake in the world? ›| Rank | Name of Snake | Venomous |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) | |
| 2 | Rainbow Snake/Eel Moccasin (Farancia erytrogramma) | |
| 3 | Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schegelii) | X |
| 4 | Paradise Flying Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) |
A pine snake from the genus Pituophis. Unfortunately, the Louisiana pine snake is the rarest snake in America. It's unusual to be the rarest but this snake is it. The Louisiana pine snake is the rarest snake in the United States with 200 or so individuals still in the wild.
How rare is a dragon snake? ›The snake is considered to be rare and is not widely kept in the hobby because it does not survive in captivity. It is a nocturnal snake and feeds exclusively on frogs. It is native to Thailand, Burma and Indonesia. It is not a prolific breeder, laying a clutch of two to four eggs a year.
What is the most rare expensive snake? ›Blind Snakes live in south-eastern Australia. They are found wherever ants and termites (their main food supply) are plentiful. They also eat the eggs and larvae of ants and termites. To find their food Blind Snakes flick their tongue to taste and smell the trail of ants and termites.
What is the 100 step snake? ›Venom. Dangerous animals often have exaggerated reputations and the species D. acutus is no exception. The popular name "hundred pacer" refers to a local belief that, after being bitten, the victim will only be able to walk 100 steps before dying.
What is the most colorful snake? ›| Snake Species | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sunbeam snake |
| 2 | Corn snake |
| 3 | Paradise tree snake |
| 4 | Checkered belly snake |
The blue eyed lucy is one of the rarest Ball Python morphs and is a prized reptile. Known as the BEL ball python it is a beautiful white snake with icy blue irises around black pupils. Some even have a beige stripe along the spine.
What kind of snake is grayish blue? ›
The Blue Racer is a large, non-venomous snake that grows to 1.5 meters in length. It is named for its speed and distinctive grayish-blue or blue-green body colour.
What is the black rainbow snake? ›The South Florida rainbow snake resembles less a rainbow than a rainbow's shadow: With its iridescent, blue-black back, yellow and red patches and three red stripes, the snake is colorful and beautiful — but in a dark, mysterious way.
Is The Dragon Snake Real? ›Xenodermus javanicus, also known as the dragon snake, Javan tubercle snake, Javan mudsnake, or rough-backed litter snake, is a small non-venomous, semi-fossorial snake species belonging to the monotypic genus Xenodermus.
Who is the God of snake? ›Manasa, goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of northeastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and general prosperity.
Are pink snakes real? ›Rosy boas are occasionally pink to adapt to their sandy environments. The rosy boa is a beautiful snake that is native to the American Southwest and Mexico. Rosy boas are famously cute snakes that stay relatively small. They come in shades of pink, orange, and tan, often with stripes down their backs.
What snake is blue and orange? ›Orange and blue, San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) San Mateo California. Wild populations of San Francisco Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia SFG. have a wide diversity of colors and patterns.
Is a blue indigo snake poisonous? ›Meet the Eastern Indigo Snake
A non-venomous apex predator, it preys upon many species of animals including some venomous snakes, and it plays a critical role in keeping an ecosystem healthy and balanced.
Two subspecies are currently recognized in Florida. Blue-striped Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis similis) Blue-striped Gartersnakes primarily occur in Florida along the Gulf coast from eastern Wakulla County in the panhandle south to Hernando County in the central peninsula.
What snake kills you in 1 minute? ›The reticulated python, the longest living species of snake in the world, are constrictors, meaning they coil around their prey and squeeze them until they're dead in just a couple minutes.
What kind of snake kills within minutes? ›Inland taipans are strictly carnivores. They kill their prey nearly instantly by biting it rapidly several times, about eight venomous bites in a single attack. The Inland Taipan is quite different from other snakes like black mamba, which only bites its prey once and waits for it to die.
Is there a snake that can outrun humans? ›
However, the worlds fastest snake is probably the Black Mamba, which has been timed at just over 11 kilometres per hour - which is not much faster than your average walking speed of 8 kph. But there is a snake which can keep up with a racehorse.
Will a black mamba chase you? ›Stories of black mambas that chase and attack humans are common, but in fact the snakes generally avoid contact with humans. Most apparent cases of pursuit probably are examples of where witnesses have mistaken the snake's attempt to retreat to its lair when a human happens to be in the way.
Has anyone ever survived a black mamba bite? ›Notable bite cases
Danie Pienaar, who was at various times from at least 2009 to 2017 head of South African National Parks Scientific Services and acting managing executive, survived the bite of a black mamba without antivenom in 1998.
While studies showed that snakes originated in the Paleocene Epoch between 65-56 million years ago, the most recent discovery dates the oldest snakes back to 167 million years ago. The remains of the oldest recorded snake, aged 167 million years ago, were found in Southern England.
What snake is 5x bigger than an anaconda? ›The Titanoboa is so much longer and thicker than the anaconda, making it a much more dangerous creature. Although we have fossil records of this animal, many questions exist such as this creature's preferred environment, whether it could lift a section of its body off the ground to strike, and what it ate.
What is the largest snake found in the United States? ›The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is a large, black, non-venomous snake found in the southeastern United States. Reaching lengths of almost 9 feet, it is the longest native snake in the United States.
What's the smallest snake in the world? ›Barbados threadsnake, (Leptotyphlops carlae), tiny burrowing member of the snake family Leptotyphlopidae. Reaching a maximum adult length of only 10.4 cm (4.1 inches) and an average weight of 0.6 g (0.02 ounce), it is thought to be the world's smallest known snake.
What is the blue snake in Boruto? ›Aoda is a large blue snake with light-green eyes and is easily comparable in size to the largest of summons. He towers above trees, buildings, and rock formations. Like many snakes, Aoda possesses large infrared-sensitive receptors on its snout.
Why did Allen's get rid of blue snakes? ›An Allen's Lollies spokesman said the changes were about “streamlining the portfolio” and a result of removing artificial colouring from all products. “We had to release the blue snake back to the wild and send our blue racing car to the spray painters.
Who is the twin brother of solid snake? ›Liquid Snake is a fictional character from the Metal Gear franchise. He is the twin brother of series protagonist Solid Snake and the second product of Les Enfants Terribles, a top-secret government project to artificially create soldiers by cloning the legendary soldier Big Boss.
Who is the girl with the snake devil? ›
Akane Sawatari ( 沢 さわ 渡 たり アカネ, Sawatari Akane?) was a former civilian devil hunter working with the Gun Devil. She also had a contract with the Snake Devil. She is the secondary antagonist of the Katana Man arc.
Who is God snake in Boruto? ›Garaga is a giant, powerful, somewhat angry snake. Boruto is the only person who has been able to summon him, which makes him a particular asset to just Boruto in battle.
Why does Boruto's eye turn blue? ›When activated, Boruto's sclera turns dark and his iris turns light blue, while his pupil turns a visible lighter blue, and the eye appears to be shimmering. Since awakening it while attending the Academy, Boruto does not appear to have the ability to activate it on command.
What is a Naruto snake? ›Based on Japanese mythology, Orochimaru was created as one of the series' main antagonists, and was intended to represent the opposite of the protagonists' morals and values. His snake-like appearance features were intended to make it easier for the reader to recognize that he is a villain.
Who became immune to snake venom? ›Researchers have discovered that African and Asian primates evolved a certain resistance to diurnal cobra venoms. The research shows that the last common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees and gorillas had evolved an even greater resistance to venom.
Why did snakes evolve venom? ›Venom in snakes and some lizards is a form of saliva that has been modified into venom over its evolutionary history. In snakes, venom has evolved to kill or subdue prey, as well as to perform other diet-related functions.
What Flavour is Allen's Green Snake? ›Hi Daniel, our ALLEN'S Snakes Alive green snakes are lemon flavoured.
Did Solid Snake lose his eye? ›During Colonel Volgin's torture of him, Big Boss, then known as Naked Snake, received a muzzle burn that blinded him in his right eye, which also ruptured and destroyed the cornea and the lens of his eye, while intercepting a bullet that was meant for Tatyana/EVA, after her cover was blown.
Is EVA Solid Snake mother? ›While posing as a KGB agent, she actually worked as a spy for the Chinese People's Liberation Army, tasked with obtaining the Philosophers' Legacy. She later became the surrogate mother of Solid Snake and Liquid Snake.
Who is solid snakes girlfriend? ›"Robot Chicken" May Cause Light Cannibalism (TV Episode 2021) - Midori Francis as Solid Snake's Girlfriend, Satine - IMDb.
What is snake girl real name? ›
Nala Damajanti was the stage name of a late 19th-century snake charmer who toured with P.T. Barnum's circus and performed at the famed Folies Bergère in Paris. French sources identify her as Emilie Poupon (1861–?) of Nantey, Jura Department, France.
What is the strongest devil in Chainsaw Man? ›1. Chainsaw Devil (Pochita) Without a doubt, Pochita, aka the Chainsaw Devil, is the most powerful devil in the Chainsaw Man franchise. Even though it might appear like many devils can overpower Chainsaw Man, none of his defeats are permanent.
Who killed the Gun Devil? ›Denji, after receiving blood and pleads from the residents of the area, then overpowers the Gun Fiend, defeating and killing it.