Gambia Blind Snake

About the Gambia Blind Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Gambia Blind Snake

Is the Gambia Blind Snake venomous?

No. The Gambia Blind Snake (Myriopholis algeriensis) 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 Gambia Blind Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Gambia Blind Snake dangerous?

The Gambia Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Gambia Blind Snake live?

The Gambia Blind Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including Israel, Morocco, Algeria. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Leptotyphlopidae snakes

• 
  Hook-snouted worm snake
  Myriopholis macrorhyncha
• 
  Long-tailed Thread Snake
  Myriopholis longicauda
• 
  Nurse's Blind Snake
  Myriopholis nursii
• 
  Sahel Thread Snake
  Myriopholis narirostris
• 
  Cairo Blind Snake
  Myriopholis cairi
• 
  Sindh Thread Snake
  Myriopholis blanfordi
• 
  Ionides’ worm snake
  Myriopholis ionidesi
• 
  Boulenger's Blind Snake
  Myriopholis macrura

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

Myriopholis

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Myriopholis algeriensis

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.