Is the Jacobsen's Thread Snake venomous?

No. The Jacobsen's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops jacobseni) 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 Jacobsen's Thread Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Jacobsen's Thread Snake dangerous?

The Jacobsen's Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Jacobsen's Thread Snake live?

The Jacobsen's Thread Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including South Africa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Kenya. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Leptotyphlopidae

Jacobsen's Thread Snake

Harmless

Leptotyphlops jacobseni

The Jacobsen's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops jacobseni) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

Family: Leptotyphlopidae

About the Jacobsen's Thread Snake

The Jacobsen's Thread Snake belongs to the Leptotyphlopidae family, slender blindsnakes (threadsnakes). Among the smallest snakes in the world, thin as a thread.

Threadsnakes are minuscule burrowing snakes, some no thicker than a pencil lead, that hunt ant and termite colonies. The family includes the Barbados threadsnake, often cited as the smallest snake species known.

Its genus, Leptotyphlops, covers slender blind snakes (thread snakes). Tiny, worm-like burrowers so thin and smooth they look more like a strand of thread than a snake.

The Jacobsen's Thread Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.

It has been recorded in South Africa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the and Kenya.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Jacobsen's Thread Snake

Is the Jacobsen's Thread Snake venomous?: No. The Jacobsen's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops jacobseni) 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 Jacobsen's Thread Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Jacobsen's Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Jacobsen's Thread Snake dangerous?: The Jacobsen's Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Jacobsen's Thread Snake live?: The Jacobsen's Thread Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including South Africa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Kenya. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

South Africa Congo, Democratic Republic of the Kenya

More Leptotyphlopidae 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: Leptotyphlopidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Leptotyphlops
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Leptotyphlops jacobseni

Keep learning

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