Leptotyphlopidae
Peter's Thread Snake
HarmlessLeptotyphlops scutifrons






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
Black Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops nigricans
Merker's thread SnakeLeptotyphlops merkeri
Forest Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops sylvicolus
Incognito Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops incognitus
Distant's Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops distanti
Cape Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops conjunctus
Goggle-eyed worm snakeLeptotyphlops macrops
Jacobsen's Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops jacobseni
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
- 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.