Distant's Thread Snake

About the Distant's Thread Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Distant's Thread Snake

Is the Distant's Thread Snake venomous?

No. The Distant's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops distanti) 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 Distant's Thread Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Distant's Thread Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Distant's Thread Snake live?

The Distant's Thread Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, United Republic of, Angola. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Why is it called the Distant's Thread Snake?

The specific name, distanti, is in honor of English entomologist William Lucas Distant.

Where it is found

More Leptotyphlopidae snakes

• 
  Black Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops nigricans
• 
  Peter's Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops scutifrons
• 
  Merker's thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops merkeri
• 
  Forest Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops sylvicolus
• 
  Incognito Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops incognitus
• 
  Cape Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops conjunctus
• 
  Goggle-eyed worm snake
  Leptotyphlops macrops
• 
  Jacobsen's Thread Snake
  Leptotyphlops jacobseni

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 distanti

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.