Pencil Snake

About the Pencil Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Pencil Snake

Is the Pencil Snake venomous?

No. The Pencil Snake (Mimophis mahfalensis) 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 Pencil Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Pencil Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Pencil Snake live?

The Pencil Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Madagascar. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Psammophiidae snakes

• 
  Northern Pencil Snake
  Mimophis occultus
• 
  Western Montpellier Snake
  Malpolon monspessulanus
• 
  Rhombic Skaapsteker
  Psammophylax rhombeatus
• 
  Eastern Montpellier Snake
  Malpolon insignitus
• 
  Stripe-bellied Sand Snake
  Psammophis subtaeniatus
• 
  Karoo Sand Snake
  Psammophis notostictus
• 
  Cross-marked Sand Snake
  Psammophis crucifer
• 
  Forskal Sand Snake
  Psammophis schokari

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

Psammophiidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Mimophis

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Mimophis mahfalensis

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.