Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake

About the Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake

Is the Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake venomous?

No. The Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata) 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 Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake dangerous?

The Kalahari 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 Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake live?

The Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Atractaspididae snakes

• 
  Common Purple-glossed Snake
  Amblyodipsas polylepis
• 
  Natal Purple-glossed Snake
  Amblyodipsas concolor
• 
  Eastern Purple-glossed Snake
  Amblyodipsas microphthalma
• 
  Dull Purple-glossed Snake
  Amblyodipsas unicolor
• 
  Cape Centipede-Eater
  Aparallactus capensis
• 
  Spotted Harlequin Snake
  Homoroselaps lacteus
• 
  Southern Stiletto Snake
  Atractaspis bibronii
• No photo
  Mpwapwa Purple-glossed Snake
  Amblyodipsas 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 ventrimaculata

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.