Is the Amami Takachiho Snake venomous?

No. The Amami Takachiho Snake (Achalinus werneri) 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 Amami Takachiho Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Amami Takachiho Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Amami Takachiho Snake dangerous?

The Amami Takachiho Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Amami Takachiho Snake live?

The Amami Takachiho Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Xenodermidae

Amami Takachiho Snake

Harmless

Achalinus werneri

The Amami Takachiho Snake (Achalinus werneri) is a non-venomous snake in the Xenodermidae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family: Xenodermidae

About the Amami Takachiho Snake

Achalinus werneri, also known commonly as the Amami odd-scaled snake and the Amami Takachiho snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. The species is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, werneri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Franz Werner.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of A. werneri are forest, grassland, and freshwater wetlands.

Description

Dorsally, A. werneri is dark olive; ventrally, it is yellow. It has 88–96 subcaudals.

Diet

A. werneri preys upon earthworms.

Reproduction

A. werneri is oviparous. Clutch size is three to eight eggs.

Conservation status

In 1996 the species Achalinus werneri was classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. This is because its range is estimated to be less than 20,000 km2 (7,722 sq mi), or its area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km2 (772 sq mi), and estimates indicate its range is severely fragmented, or known to exist at no more than ten locations, and that a continuing decline has been inferred, observed or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of its habitat.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Amami Takachiho Snake

Is the Amami Takachiho Snake venomous?: No. The Amami Takachiho Snake (Achalinus werneri) 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 Amami Takachiho Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Amami Takachiho Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Amami Takachiho Snake dangerous?: The Amami Takachiho Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Amami Takachiho Snake live?: The Amami Takachiho Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Amami Takachiho Snake eat?: A. werneri preys upon earthworms.
Why is it called the Amami Takachiho Snake?: The specific name, werneri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Franz Werner.

Where it is found

Japan

More Xenodermidae snakes

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: Xenodermidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Achalinus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Achalinus werneri

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.