Is the East African Garter Snake venomous?

Yes. The East African Garter Snake (Elapsoidea loveridgei) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the East African Garter Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The East African Garter Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the East African Garter Snake live?

The East African Garter Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Democratic Republic of the. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

East African Garter Snake

Venomous

Elapsoidea loveridgei

East African Garter Snake — Elapsoidea loveridgei, © Olly Morgan

3 photographs of the East African Garter Snake. © Olly Morgan.

The East African Garter Snake (Elapsoidea loveridgei) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 7 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Elapidae
Danger: high

About the East African Garter Snake

Elapsoidea loveridgei, also known commonly as Loveridge's garter snake and the East African garter snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to East Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.

Etymology

The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.

Description

Adults of Elapsoidea loveridgei usually have a total length (tail included) of 30–55 cm (12–22 in). However, it may attain a total length of 65 cm (26 in). The tail is short, about 7.5% of the total length. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, are arranged in 13 rows at midbody. The coloration is black with light crossbands, which may be white, yellow, pink, or red.

Geographic range

Elapsoidea loveridgei is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Elapsoidea loveridgei are woodland, savanna, and grassland, at altitudes of 600–2,200 m (2,000–7,200 ft).

Behavior

Elapsoidea loveridgei is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Defensive behavior

If threatened, Elapsoidea loveridgei inflates and flattens its body, making the bright-colored crossbands more prominent. It may also raise the anterior half of the body and move it abruptly from side to side.

Diet

Elapsoidea loveridgei preys upon small frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals, and also eats reptile eggs.

Reproduction

Elapsoidea loveridgei is oviparous.

Venom

Elapsoidea loveridgei is venomous. In humans, its bite causes local pain and swelling, plus pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. There is no antivenom for species of the genus Elapsoidea, but no human fatalities have been recorded.

Subspecies

The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Elapsoidea loveridgei colleti Laurent, 1956

Elapsoidea loveridgei loveridgei H. Parker, 1949

Elapsoidea loveridgei multicincta Laurent, 1956

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: East African Garter Snake

Is the East African Garter Snake venomous?: Yes. The East African Garter Snake (Elapsoidea loveridgei) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the East African Garter Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The East African Garter Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the East African Garter Snake dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the East African Garter Snake live?: The East African Garter Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Democratic Republic of the. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the East African Garter Snake eat?: Elapsoidea loveridgei preys upon small frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals, and also eats reptile eggs.
Why is it called the East African Garter Snake?: The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.

If you are bitten by the East African Garter Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Kenya Uganda Congo, Democratic Republic of the Tanzania, United Republic of Rwanda Ethiopia Sudan

More Elapidae 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: Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Elapsoidea
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Elapsoidea loveridgei

Keep learning

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