Is the Namibian Wolf Snake venomous?

No. The Namibian Wolf Snake (Lycophidion namibianum) 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 Namibian Wolf Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Namibian Wolf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Namibian Wolf Snake dangerous?

The Namibian Wolf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Namibian Wolf Snake live?

The Namibian Wolf Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Namibia, Angola. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Lamprophiidae

Namibian Wolf Snake

Harmless

Lycophidion namibianum

Namibian Wolf Snake — Lycophidion namibianum, (c) yenthevp, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Namibian Wolf Snake. (c) yenthevp, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Namibian Wolf Snake (Lycophidion namibianum) is a non-venomous snake in the Lamprophiidae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Family: Lamprophiidae

About the Namibian Wolf Snake

The Namibian Wolf Snake belongs to the Lamprophiidae family, african house snakes & allies. Common African snakes, including the familiar house snakes.

Lamprophiids are a largely African family that includes the house snakes often found around dwellings, where they hunt rodents, plus wolf snakes and many others. Most are non-venomous or only mildly rear-fanged.

Its genus, Lycophidion, covers wolf snakes (African). Small, secretive African snakes with recurved teeth built for gripping hard-scaled lizards.

The Namibian Wolf 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 Namibia and Angola.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Namibian Wolf Snake

Is the Namibian Wolf Snake venomous?: No. The Namibian Wolf Snake (Lycophidion namibianum) 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 Namibian Wolf Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Namibian Wolf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Namibian Wolf Snake dangerous?: The Namibian Wolf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Namibian Wolf Snake live?: The Namibian Wolf Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Namibia, Angola. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Namibia Angola

More Lamprophiidae 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: Lamprophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Lycophidion
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Lycophidion namibianum

Keep learning

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