Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Pale-headed forest snake
HarmlessBuhoma depressiceps
2 photographs of the Pale-headed forest snake. © Michał Żyła.
The Pale-headed forest snake (Buhoma depressiceps) is a non-venomous snake in the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, recorded in 9 countries.
- Family
- Pseudoxyrhophiidae
About the Pale-headed forest snake
The Pale-headed forest 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, Buhoma, covers African forest snakes. A tiny genus of small, secretive forest-floor snakes from the highlands of central and eastern Africa.
The Pale-headed forest 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 across 9 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and Uganda.
Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.
Frequently asked: Pale-headed forest snake
- Is the Pale-headed forest snake venomous?
- No. The Pale-headed forest snake (Buhoma depressiceps) 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 Pale-headed forest snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pale-headed forest snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Pale-headed forest snake dangerous?
- The Pale-headed forest snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Pale-headed forest snake live?
- The Pale-headed forest snake has verified records in 9 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Cameroon, Gabon. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Pseudoxyrhophiidae snakes
Usambara forest snakeBuhoma vauerocegae
Common Slug-eaterDuberria lutrix
Common Madagascar Cat SnakeMadagascarophis colubrinus
Giant Madagascan Hognose SnakeLeioheterodon madagascariensis
Bernier's Striped SnakeDromicodryas bernieri
Lateral Water SnakeThamnosophis lateralis
Four-striped SnakeDromicodryas quadrilineatus
Blonde Hognose SnakeLeioheterodon modestus
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
- Buhoma
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Buhoma depressiceps
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.