Typhlopidae
Gracile blind-snake
HarmlessLetheobia gracilis



3 photographs of the Gracile blind-snake. (c) Aibhlín, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Gracile blind-snake (Letheobia gracilis) is a non-venomous snake in the Typhlopidae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Typhlopidae
About the Gracile blind-snake
Letheobia gracilis, also known as the gracile blind snake or Urungu beaked snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. It is endemic to Africa and is known from northern Zambia, western Tanzania, and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Gracile blind-snake
- Is the Gracile blind-snake venomous?
- No. The Gracile blind-snake (Letheobia gracilis) 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 Gracile blind-snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Gracile blind-snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Gracile blind-snake dangerous?
- The Gracile blind-snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Gracile blind-snake live?
- The Gracile blind-snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Zambia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Zimbabwe. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Typhlopidae snakes
Israeli Worm SnakeLetheobia simoni
Swahili gracile blind-snakeLetheobia swahilica
Letheobia episcopusLetheobia episcopus
Letheobia akageraeLetheobia akagerae
Brahminy BlindsnakeIndotyphlops braminus
Eurasian Blind SnakeXerotyphlops vermicularis- No photoEthiopian Blind SnakeLetheobia somalica
- No photoCameroon gracile blind-snakeLetheobia decorosus
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
- Typhlopidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Letheobia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Letheobia gracilis
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.