Colubridae
Reticulate Ground Snake
HarmlessAtractus reticulatus
3 photographs of the Reticulate Ground Snake. (c) Gabriel Henrique, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Reticulate Ground Snake (Atractus reticulatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Reticulate Ground Snake
Atractus reticulatus, the reticulate ground snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The ecology and the biology of this species is poorly documented.
The species has been classified as least concern by the IUCN because it is widespread and has no known major threats. It eats worms.
Description
A. reticulatus is a nocturnal species. It also exhibits variability in morphology and histochemistry for its infralabial glands which may reflect secretion constituent diversity and dietary specialization.
One study found that the species shows sexual dimorphism in the number of ventrals and subcaudals, as well as sexual dimorphism in tail length. The study also found that in this species the females are larger in length, while the males are larger in range and mean.
Reproduction
There are few references regarding the species reproduction. But the species reproduces sexually by oviparous.
The species is also gonochoric.
Occurrence
It occurs in semifossorial habitats. The species has been found in Paraguay, Southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Common names
In English the species goes by the common name reticulate ground snake, while in Portuguese it is called cobra-cega, cobra-da-terra, cobra-de-terra-comum, cobra-reticulada, cobra-tijolo, cobrinha-da-terra, fura-terra, or fura-terra-reticulada.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Reticulate Ground Snake
- Is the Reticulate Ground Snake venomous?
- No. The Reticulate Ground Snake (Atractus reticulatus) 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 Reticulate Ground Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Reticulate Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Reticulate Ground Snake dangerous?
- The Reticulate Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Reticulate Ground Snake live?
- The Reticulate Ground Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Reticulate Ground Snake?
- In English the species goes by the common name reticulate ground snake, while in Portuguese it is called cobra-cega, cobra-da-terra, cobra-de-terra-comum, cobra-reticulada, cobra-tijolo, cobrinha-da-terra, fura-terra, or fura-terra-reticulada.
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 reticulatus
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.