Not a snake (Six-spotted Tiger Beetle or similar insect)
Cicindela sexguttata (probable insect identification) • Insects do not belong to snake families; Classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Coleoptera, Family Carabidae, Subfamily Cicindelinae
Common across North America, specifically the Eastern and Central United States and parts of Canada.
Look up Not a snake (Six-spotted Tiger Beetle or similar insect) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (as an insect, it lacks snake fangs)
Danger Level
Harmless; while tiger beetles can give a small defensive pinch with their mandibles, they pose no threat to humans.
Family
Insects do not belong to snake families; Classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Coleoptera, Family Carabidae, Subfamily Cicindelinae
Conservation
Not Evaluated as a snake; general insect status is stable (Least Concern equivalent in many regions).
Physical Description
The image shows a small, bright metallic green insect with six legs and antennae. It has a hard exoskeleton (elytra) rather than scales and lack the elongated body of a reptile.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 12-14 mm (about 0.5 inches) in length; the specimen in the photo is very small relative to the concrete texture.
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests, wooded trails, and sunny open patches like the concrete sidewalk shown in the image.
Behavior & Temperament
Highly active diurnal hunters; known for running in short, fast bursts and taking short flights when startled.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory; feeds on smaller insects, spiders, and ants using powerful mandibles for crushing prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous; females lay eggs in the soil where larvae create vertical burrows to ambush passing prey.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous; it is an insect and has no medically significant venom for humans.
Look-alikes
Could be confused with other metallic beetles like the Emerald Ash Borer or Cetonix species at a distance.
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated as a snake; general insect status is stable (Least Concern equivalent in many regions).
Cultural Significance
Tiger beetles are appreciated by gardeners and ecologists as beneficial predators that control pest populations.
Notable Features
This is an insect, not a snake. It features a metallic iridescent sheen and large compound eyes adapted for high-speed hunting.