Colubridae
Albuquerque Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus albuquerquei
3 photographs of the Albuquerque Ground Snake. (c) Diego Santana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Albuquerque Ground Snake (Atractus albuquerquei) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Albuquerque Ground Snake
Atractus albuquerquei, commonly known as the Albuquerque ground snake, is a species of small burrowing snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Etymology
The specific name, albuquerquei, is in honor of Brazilian entomologist Dalcy de Oliveira Albuquerque (1902–1982).
Habitat
Atractus albuquerquei prefers forested areas and Cerrado habitats, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft).
Geographic range
Atractus albuquerque is found in the Brazilian states of Acre, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, and Rondônia, and in Bolivia.
Description
Atractus albuquerquei is dark brown to black dorsally, and cream or yellow ventrally. It has smooth dorsal scales. It can grow to a total length (tail included) of 77 cm (30.3 in).
Reproduction
Atractus albuquerquei is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Albuquerque Ground Snake
- Is the Albuquerque Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Albuquerque Ground Snake (Atractus albuquerquei) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Albuquerque Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Albuquerque Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Albuquerque Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Albuquerque Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Albuquerque Ground Snake live?
- The Albuquerque Ground Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Brazil, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Albuquerque Ground Snake?
- The specific name, albuquerquei, is in honor of Brazilian entomologist Dalcy de Oliveira Albuquerque (1902–1982).
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Thickhead Ground SnakeAtractus crassicaudatus
Black Ground SnakeAtractus elaps
Three-lined Ground SnakeAtractus trilineatus
Atractus pantostictusAtractus pantostictus
Big Ground SnakeAtractus major
Lasalle's Ground SnakeAtractus lasallei
St. Marta's Ground SnakeAtractus sanctaemartae
Boie's Ground SnakeAtractus badius
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Atractus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Atractus albuquerquei
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.