Colubridae
Pachacamac Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus snethlageae

The Pachacamac Ground Snake (Atractus snethlageae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Pachacamac Ground Snake
Atractus snethlageae is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species can be found in Brazil, Suriname, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina. This ground snake is known to be the most diversified, species-rich, and taxonomically complex radiation of the suborder Serpentes.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Pachacamac Ground Snake
- Is the Pachacamac Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Pachacamac Ground Snake (Atractus snethlageae) 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 Pachacamac Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pachacamac Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Pachacamac Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Pachacamac Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Pachacamac Ground Snake live?
- The Pachacamac Ground Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Brazil, Peru, Colombia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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 snethlageae
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.