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Colubridae

Lehmann's Ground Snake

Harmless

Atractus lehmanni

Lehmann's Ground Snake
Atractus lehmanni, © Daniel Mesa
Lehmann's Ground SnakeLehmann's Ground SnakeLehmann's Ground SnakeLehmann's Ground SnakeLehmann's Ground Snake

6 photographs of the Lehmann's Ground Snake. © Daniel Mesa.

The Lehmann's Ground Snake (Atractus lehmanni) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.

Family
Colubridae

About the Lehmann's Ground Snake

Atractus lehmanni, also known commonly as Lehmann's ground snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Colombia.

Etymology

The specific name, lehmanni, is in honor of German botanist Friedrich Carl Lehmann.

Description

A. lehmanni has 17 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, and eight maxillary teeth. It is uniformally dark brown dorsally.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of A. lehmanni is unknown because much of its geographic range is disturbed, having been converted for agricultural uses.

Behavior

A. lehmanni is terrestrial and fossorial.

Reproduction

A. lehmanni is oviparous.

Taxonomy

A. lehmanni is a member of the A. trilineatus species group.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Lehmann's Ground Snake

Is the Lehmann's Ground Snake venomous?
No. The Lehmann's Ground Snake (Atractus lehmanni) 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 Lehmann's Ground Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Lehmann's Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Lehmann's Ground Snake dangerous?
The Lehmann's Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Lehmann's Ground Snake live?
The Lehmann's Ground Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Lehmann's Ground Snake?
The specific name, lehmanni, is in honor of German botanist Friedrich Carl Lehmann.

Where it is found

More Colubridae 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
Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Atractus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Atractus lehmanni

Keep learning

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