Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake
HarmlessLiophidium vaillanti
The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake (Liophidium vaillanti) is a non-venomous snake in the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Pseudoxyrhophiidae
About the Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake
The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake belongs to the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, malagasy snakes. A spectacular radiation of mostly harmless snakes centered on Madagascar.
This family is the dominant snake group of Madagascar, where it has diversified into hognose snakes, cat-eyed snakes, leaf-nosed snakes, and many more, with additional members in Africa. Most are rear-fanged but harmless to people.
Its genus, Liophidium, covers Madagascar smooth snakes. Small, glossy, harmless ground snakes found almost entirely on Madagascar and nearby islands.
The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.
It has been recorded in Madagascar, Réunion and Senegal.
Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.
Frequently asked: Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake
- Is the Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake venomous?
- No. The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake (Liophidium vaillanti) 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 Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake dangerous?
- The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake live?
- The Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Madagascar, Réunion, Senegal. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Pseudoxyrhophiidae snakes
White-lipped Smooth SnakeLiophidium torquatum
Mayotte Smooth SnakeLiophidium mayottensis
Gold-collared SnakeLiophidium rhodogaster
Toliara Smooth SnakeLiophidium chabaudi
Befandriana Smooth SnakeLiophidium apperti
Red-striped Smooth SnakeLiophidium pattoni
Three-lined Smooth SnakeLiophidium trilineatum- No photoAnatelo Forest Smooth SnakeLiophidium therezieni
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
- Pseudoxyrhophiidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Liophidium
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Liophidium vaillanti
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. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.