poisonous reptiles

Poisonous reptiles are reptiles that contain toxins harmful when ingested or touched—distinct from venomous reptiles, which inject toxins through bites or stings.

True poisonous reptiles are rare; certain garter snakes and some Asian keelback snakes sequester toxins from prey like poisonous frogs.

The phrase is often used loosely to mean venomous snakes and lizards: Watch out for poisonous reptiles on the trail.