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Leptotyphlopidae

Peter's Thread Snake

Harmless

Leptotyphlops scutifrons

Peter's Thread Snake
Leptotyphlops scutifrons, © Andrew Deacon
Peter's Thread SnakePeter's Thread SnakePeter's Thread SnakePeter's Thread SnakePeter's Thread Snake

6 photographs of the Peter's Thread Snake. © Andrew Deacon.

The Peter's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops scutifrons) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 14 countries.

Family
Leptotyphlopidae

About the Peter's Thread Snake

Peters's threadsnake (Leptotyphlops scutifrons) is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is widely distributed in Southern Africa. Following the recognition of its former subspecies, Leptotyphlops pitmani and Leptotyphlops merkeri, as full species, L. scutifrons is no longer thought to occur in East Africa. The limits of its range are still unclear, but it is thought to be present in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eswatini, and western Lesotho.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Peter's Thread Snake

Is the Peter's Thread Snake venomous?
No. The Peter's Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops scutifrons) 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 Peter's Thread Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Peter's Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Peter's Thread Snake dangerous?
The Peter's Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Peter's Thread Snake live?
The Peter's Thread Snake has verified records in 14 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Leptotyphlopidae 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
Leptotyphlopidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Leptotyphlops
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Leptotyphlops scutifrons

Keep learning

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