Cape Sand Snake

About the Cape Sand Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Cape Sand Snake

Is the Cape Sand Snake venomous?

The Cape Sand Snake (Psammophis leightoni) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Cape Sand Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Cape Sand Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Cape Sand Snake live?

The Cape Sand Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana. See the distribution section below for its full range.

What does the Cape Sand Snake eat?

P. leightoni preys predominately upon small lizards and small rodents, but will also eat other snakes.

Why is it called the Cape Sand Snake?

The specific name, leightoni, is in honor of British herpetologist Gerald Rowley Leighton.

Where it is found

More Psammophiidae snakes

• 
  Stripe-bellied Sand Snake
  Psammophis subtaeniatus
• 
  Karoo Sand Snake
  Psammophis notostictus
• 
  Cross-marked Sand Snake
  Psammophis crucifer
• 
  Forskal Sand Snake
  Psammophis schokari
• 
  Olive Whip Snake
  Psammophis mossambicus
• 
  Short-snouted Whip Snake
  Psammophis brevirostris
• 
  Eastern Stripe-bellied Sand Snake
  Psammophis orientalis
• 
  Steppe Ribbon Racer
  Psammophis lineolatus

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

Psammophiidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Psammophis

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

Psammophis leightoni

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.