Colubridae
Emmel's Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus emmeli
The Emmel's Ground Snake (Atractus emmeli) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Emmel's Ground Snake
Atractus emmeli, also known commonly as Emmel's ground snake and Boettger's ground snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Etymology
The specific name, emmeli, is in honor of Ferdinand Emmel who sent the first two specimens of this snake to German herpetologist Oskar Boettger, which Boettger described as a species new to science.
Geographic range
A. emmeli is found in Bolivia and Peru, east of the Andes.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of A. emmeli is forest, at altitudes of 134–360 m (440–1,181 ft), but it is also found in artificial habitats such as gardens and farms.
Description
A. emmeli may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 38 cm (15 in) for females, and about 30 cm (12 in) for males. Dorsally, it is uniformly light brown, dark brown, or black. Often there is a whitish or tan band across the parietals, especially in juveniles. Ventrally, it is cream-colored, with black spots or dots. It has smooth dorsal scales, without apical pits. The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows throughout the length of the body (15/15/15). The ventrals number 154–187 in females, and 147–169 in males. The subcaudals number 14–25 in females, and 20–31 in males.
Behavior
A. emmeli is terrestrial and fossorial.
Reproduction
A. emmeli is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Emmel's Ground Snake
- Is the Emmel's Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Emmel's Ground Snake (Atractus emmeli) 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 Emmel's Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Emmel's Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Emmel's Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Emmel's Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Emmel's Ground Snake live?
- The Emmel's Ground Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Peru, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Argentina. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Emmel's Ground Snake?
- The specific name, emmeli, is in honor of Ferdinand Emmel who sent the first two specimens of this snake to German herpetologist Oskar Boettger, which Boettger described as a species new to science.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Thickhead Ground SnakeAtractus crassicaudatus
Black Ground SnakeAtractus elaps
Three-lined Ground SnakeAtractus trilineatus
Atractus pantostictusAtractus pantostictus
Big Ground SnakeAtractus major
Lasalle's Ground SnakeAtractus lasallei
St. Marta's Ground SnakeAtractus sanctaemartae
Boie's Ground SnakeAtractus badius
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
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Atractus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Atractus emmeli
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.