Leptotyphlopidae
Latin American Blind Snake
HarmlessEpictia albipuncta
6 photographs of the Latin American Blind Snake. © Eduardo Luis Beltrocco.
The Latin American Blind Snake (Epictia albipuncta) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 14 countries.
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
About the Latin American Blind Snake
Epictia albipuncta is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Geographic range
E. albipuncta is found in Argentina, Bolivia, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and possibly southern Peru.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of E. albipuncta are grassland, shrubland, savanna, and forest.
Reproduction
E. albipuncta is oviparous.
Etymology
The specific name, weyrauchi (of the synonym Leptotyphlops weyrauchi), is in honor of German-Peruvian malacologist Wolfgang Karl Weyrauch.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Latin American Blind Snake
- Is the Latin American Blind Snake venomous?
- No. The Latin American Blind Snake (Epictia albipuncta) 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 Latin American Blind Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Latin American Blind Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Latin American Blind Snake dangerous?
- The Latin American Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Latin American Blind Snake live?
- The Latin American Blind Snake has verified records in 14 countries, including Argentina, Suriname, Bolivia (Plurinational State of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Latin American Blind Snake?
- The specific name, weyrauchi (of the synonym Leptotyphlops weyrauchi), is in honor of German-Peruvian malacologist Wolfgang Karl Weyrauch.
Where it is found
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
- Epictia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Epictia albipuncta
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.