Atractaspididae
Eastern Purple-glossed Snake
HarmlessAmblyodipsas microphthalma
6 photographs of the Eastern Purple-glossed Snake. © Marius Burger.
The Eastern Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas microphthalma) is a non-venomous snake in the Atractaspididae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Atractaspididae
- Danger
- high
About the Eastern Purple-glossed Snake
Amblyodipsas microphthalma, also known as the eastern purple-glossed snake or white-lipped snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family.
Geographic range
It is found in southern Mozambique and the northeastern Republic of South Africa.
Description
Dorsally dark brown. Ventrally white, including chin and tail, with a dark brown stripe down the middle of the belly. The white of the outer edges of the ventrals extends onto the adjacent first two rows of dorsal scales on each side of the body.
Rostral broader than long, portion visible from above two-thirds its distance from the frontal. Frontal large, nearly twice as long as broad, acutely pointed behind, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout. Only four upper labials, second and third entering the eye, fourth largest and in contact with the parietal.
Dorsal scales smooth, without pits, arranged in 15 rows. Ventrals 142; anal plate divided; subcaudals 19, divided.
Total length 30 cm (11+3⁄4 in); tail 24 mm (1 in).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Eastern Purple-glossed Snake
- Is the Eastern Purple-glossed Snake venomous?
- No. The Eastern Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas microphthalma) 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 Eastern Purple-glossed Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Eastern Purple-glossed Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Eastern Purple-glossed Snake dangerous?
- The Eastern Purple-glossed Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Eastern Purple-glossed Snake live?
- The Eastern Purple-glossed Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including South Africa, Mozambique. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Atractaspididae snakes
Common Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas polylepis
Natal Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas concolor
Kalahari Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas ventrimaculata
Dull Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas unicolor
Cape Centipede-EaterAparallactus capensis
Spotted Harlequin SnakeHomoroselaps lacteus
Southern Stiletto SnakeAtractaspis bibronii- No photoMpwapwa Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas dimidiata
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
- Atractaspididae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Amblyodipsas
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Amblyodipsas microphthalma
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.