Typhlopidae
Kenya Beaked Snake
HarmlessRhinotyphlops unitaeniatus



3 photographs of the Kenya Beaked Snake. (c) Zein et Carlo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Kenya Beaked Snake (Rhinotyphlops unitaeniatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Typhlopidae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Typhlopidae
About the Kenya Beaked Snake
Rhinotyphlops unitaeniatus, commonly known as the yellow-striped blind snake or the Kenya beaked snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family. It is endemic to Africa.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Kenya Beaked Snake
- Is the Kenya Beaked Snake venomous?
- No. The Kenya Beaked Snake (Rhinotyphlops unitaeniatus) 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 Kenya Beaked Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Kenya Beaked Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Kenya Beaked Snake dangerous?
- The Kenya Beaked Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Kenya Beaked Snake live?
- The Kenya Beaked Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, United Republic of, Somalia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Typhlopidae snakes
Delalande's Beaked Blind SnakeRhinotyphlops lalandei
Schinz's Beaked Blind SnakeRhinotyphlops schinzi
Brahminy BlindsnakeIndotyphlops braminus
Eurasian Blind SnakeXerotyphlops vermicularis
Syrian Blind SnakeXerotyphlops syriacus
Bibron's Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops bibronii
Blackish Blind SnakeAnilios nigrescens
Schlegel’s Beaked blind snakeAfrotyphlops schlegelii
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
- Rhinotyphlops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rhinotyphlops unitaeniatus
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.