Is the Black Thread Snake venomous?

No. The Black Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops nigricans) 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 Thread Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Black Thread Snake dangerous?

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

Leptotyphlopidae

Black Thread Snake

Harmless

Leptotyphlops nigricans

Black Thread Snake — Leptotyphlops nigricans, © Justin Ponder

6 photographs of the Black Thread Snake. © Justin Ponder.

The Black Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops nigricans) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 8 countries.

Family: Leptotyphlopidae

About the Black Thread Snake

Leptotyphlops nigricans, also known as the black threadsnake or black worm snake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is endemic to Africa.

Geographic range

This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Description

Leptotyphlops nigricans is black or dark brown, both dorsally and ventrally. In some specimens the scales are lighter-edged.

It is a small and thin species of snake. Adults may attain a snout-vent length (SVL) of 196 millimetres (7.7 in).

The scales are arranged in 14 rows around the body at midbody.

Snout rounded. Supraocular small. Rostral as broad or slightly broader than the nasal, extending as far as the anterior border edge of the eye. Nasal completely divided. Ocular bordering the lip between two upper labials, the anterior of which is very small. Five lower labials. Diameter of the body 40 to 53 times in the total length. Length of tail 8 to 13 times in the total length.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black Thread Snake

Is the Black Thread Snake venomous?: No. The Black Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops nigricans) 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 Thread Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Black Thread Snake dangerous?: The Black Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Black Thread Snake live?: The Black Thread Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including South Africa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Tanzania, United Republic of. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

South Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of the Tanzania, United Republic of Uganda Burundi Ethiopia Kenya Zambia

More Leptotyphlopidae 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: Leptotyphlopidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Leptotyphlops
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Leptotyphlops nigricans

Keep learning

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