Colubridae
Lema's Ground Snake
HarmlessLygophis dilepis






6 photographs of the Lema's Ground Snake. © Rafael Duarte.
The Lema's Ground Snake (Lygophis dilepis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 9 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Lema's Ground Snake
Lygophis dilepis, Lema's ground snake or Lema's striped snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Lema's Ground Snake
- Is the Lema's Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Lema's Ground Snake (Lygophis dilepis) 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 Lema's Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Lema's Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Lema's Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Lema'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 Lema's Ground Snake live?
- The Lema's Ground Snake has verified records in 9 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
BrazilArgentinaParaguayHaitiUnited States of AmericaBolivia (Plurinational State of)ColombiaGuyanaSuriname
By U.S. state
More Colubridae snakes
Gunther's Striped SnakeLygophis anomalus
Lined Ground SnakeLygophis lineatus
Elegant Ground SnakeLygophis elegantissimus
Southern Striped SnakeLygophis meridionalis
Fronted Ground SnakeLygophis flavifrenatus
Hoge's Ground SnakeLygophis paucidens
Vanzolini's Ground SnakeLygophis vanzolinii
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
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
- Lygophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lygophis dilepis
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.