Typhlopidae
Angola blind snake
HarmlessAfrotyphlops angolensis


2 photographs of the Angola blind snake. (c) koenbetjes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Angola blind snake (Afrotyphlops angolensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Typhlopidae family, recorded in 17 countries.
- Family
- Typhlopidae
About the Angola blind snake
The Angola blind snake or Angolan blind snake is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family. While named after its type locality in Angola, it is widespread in Central and East Africa. Specifically, it is found in Angola, northern Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Angola blind snake
- Is the Angola blind snake venomous?
- No. The Angola blind snake (Afrotyphlops angolensis) 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 Angola blind snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Angola blind snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Angola blind snake dangerous?
- The Angola blind snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Angola blind snake live?
- The Angola blind snake has verified records in 17 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Uganda, Congo. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Typhlopidae snakes
Bibron's Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops bibronii
Schlegel’s Beaked blind snakeAfrotyphlops schlegelii
Zambezi Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops dinga
Common Lined Worm SnakeAfrotyphlops lineolatus
Fornasini's Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops fornasinii
Slender Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops obtusus
Schmidt’s blind-snakeAfrotyphlops schmidti
Spotted Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops punctatus
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
- Typhlopidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Afrotyphlops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Afrotyphlops angolensis
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.