Cape Reed Snake

About the Cape Reed Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Cape Reed Snake

Is the Cape Reed Snake venomous?

No. The Cape Reed Snake (Amplorhinus multimaculatus) 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 Cape Reed Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Cape Reed Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Cape Reed Snake live?

The Cape Reed Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho. See the distribution section below for its full range.

What does the Cape Reed Snake eat?

A. multimaculatus preys on frogs and lizards.

Where it is found

More Pseudoxyrhophiidae snakes

• 
  Common Slug-eater
  Duberria lutrix
• 
  Common Madagascar Cat Snake
  Madagascarophis colubrinus
• 
  Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
  Leioheterodon madagascariensis
• 
  Bernier's Striped Snake
  Dromicodryas bernieri
• 
  Lateral Water Snake
  Thamnosophis lateralis
• 
  Four-striped Snake
  Dromicodryas quadrilineatus
• 
  Blonde Hognose Snake
  Leioheterodon modestus
• 
  Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake
  Langaha madagascariensis

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

Pseudoxyrhophiidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Amplorhinus

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

Amplorhinus multimaculatus

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.