Black Snake-eater

About the Black Snake-eater

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black Snake-eater

Is the Black Snake-eater venomous?

No. The Black Snake-eater (Polemon ater) 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 Black Snake-eater poisonous?

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

Is the Black Snake-eater dangerous?

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

Where does the Black Snake-eater live?

The Black Snake-eater has verified records in 4 countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Congo, Democratic Republic of the. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Atractaspididae snakes

• 
  Cameroon Snake-Eater
  Polemon notatus
• 
  Collared Snake-eater
  Polemon collaris
• 
  Reinhardt's Snake-eater
  Polemon acanthias
• 
  Bocourt's Snake-eater
  Polemon bocourti
• 
  Zaire Snake-eater
  Polemon robustus
• 
  Cape Centipede-Eater
  Aparallactus capensis
• 
  Spotted Harlequin Snake
  Homoroselaps lacteus
• No photo
  Yellow-necked Snake-Eater
  Polemon fulvicollis

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

Atractaspididae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Polemon

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Polemon ater

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.