Colubridae
Minacu Blackhead
HarmlessApostolepis nelsonjorgei



3 photographs of the Minacu Blackhead. (c) Herpetonautas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Minacu Blackhead (Apostolepis nelsonjorgei) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Minacu Blackhead
Apostolepis nelsonjorgei, also known commonly as cobrinha-da-terra (little ground snake) in Brazilian Portuguese, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Etymology
The specific name, nelsonjorgei, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Nelson Jorge da Silva Jr.
Geographic distribution
Apostolepis nelsonjorgei is found in central Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Goiás and Tocantins.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Apostolepis nelsonjorgei is savanna.
Behavior
Apostolepis nelsonjorgei is terrestrial.
Reproduction
Apostolepis nelsonjorgei is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Minacu Blackhead
- Is the Minacu Blackhead venomous?
- No. The Minacu Blackhead (Apostolepis nelsonjorgei) 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 Minacu Blackhead poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Minacu Blackhead is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Minacu Blackhead dangerous?
- The Minacu Blackhead is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Minacu Blackhead live?
- The Minacu Blackhead has verified records in 1 country, including Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Minacu Blackhead?
- The specific name, nelsonjorgei, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Nelson Jorge da Silva Jr.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Reinhardt's Burrowing SnakeApostolepis assimilis
Gomes' Burrowing SnakeApostolepis cearensis
Variable BlackheadApostolepis dimidiata
Tocantins BlackheadApostolepis sanctaeritae
Guyana Burrowing SnakeApostolepis nigrolineata
Central Burrowing SnakeApostolepis flavotorquata
White Collared BlackheadApostolepis albicollaris
Mato Grosso Burrowing SnakeApostolepis intermedia
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
- Apostolepis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Apostolepis nelsonjorgei
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.