Colubridae
Lehmann's Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus lehmanni






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
Thickhead Ground SnakeAtractus crassicaudatus
Black Ground SnakeAtractus elaps
Three-lined Ground SnakeAtractus trilineatus
Atractus pantostictusAtractus pantostictus
Big Ground SnakeAtractus major
Lasalle's Ground SnakeAtractus lasallei
St. Marta's Ground SnakeAtractus sanctaemartae
Boie's Ground SnakeAtractus badius
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
- 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.