Threadsnake
Cape Thread Snake
HarmlessRena boettgeri
2 photographs of the Cape Thread Snake. © Alexis López Hernández.
The Cape Thread Snake (Rena boettgeri) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Also called
- Threadsnake
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
- Size
- Tiny and worm-like, 6–12 in.
- Habitat
- Underground in sandy or loose soils.
- Behavior
- Burrowers that raid ant and termite nests; almost never seen.
- Identify
- Looks like a shiny earthworm with vestigial eyes.
About the Cape Thread Snake
Rena boettgeri, also known commonly as the Baja California Cape wormsnake and the Cerralvo Island threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Baja California, Mexico.
Geographic range
The Cerralvo Island threadsnake is found in the Cape Region of Baja California Sur. This species appears to be absent from the higher elevations of the Sierra La Laguna. It is also found on Isla Cerralvo in the Municipality of La Paz.
Etymology
R. boettgeri is named in honor of German herpetologist Oskar Boettger.
Description
R. boettgeri has the following scalation. The rostral is rounded at the back, taking up about 1/3 the width of the head and almost reaching between the eyes. The nasal is completely divided, with the nostril near the rostral. The ocular reaches the edge of the upper lip between two supralabials, the front of which is just as high but narrower than the rear. There are 4 lower lip shields. There are 14 scales around the body. The body diameter is included 75 times in total length, and the tail length 20 times. Dorsally, the body is monochrome red-brown, and ventrally it is a little lighter. The total length is 225 mm (8.9 in), the tail length is 11 mm (0.43 in), and the diameter of the body is 3 mm (0.12 in).
Reproduction
R. boettgeri reproduces via sexual reproduction.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cape Thread Snake
- Is the Cape Thread Snake venomous?
- No. The Cape Thread Snake (Rena boettgeri) 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 Thread Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cape Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cape Thread Snake dangerous?
- The Cape Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cape Thread Snake live?
- The Cape Thread Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Cape Thread Snake?
- Looks like a shiny earthworm with vestigial eyes.
- How big does the Cape Thread Snake get?
- Tiny and worm-like, 6–12 in.
- Why is it called the Cape Thread Snake?
- R. boettgeri is named in honor of German herpetologist Oskar Boettger.
Where it is found
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
- Rena
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rena boettgeri
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.