Colubridae
Sahel Egg Eater
HarmlessDasypeltis sahelensis
The Sahel Egg Eater (Dasypeltis sahelensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Sahel Egg Eater
Dasypeltis sahelensis, the Sahel egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Chad. As of 2021, D. sahelensis is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN because it is widespread throughout its range and there are no known conservation threats.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Sahel Egg Eater
- Is the Sahel Egg Eater venomous?
- No. The Sahel Egg Eater (Dasypeltis sahelensis) 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 Sahel Egg Eater poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sahel Egg Eater is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Sahel Egg Eater dangerous?
- The Sahel Egg Eater is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Sahel Egg Eater live?
- The Sahel Egg Eater has verified records in 5 countries, including Morocco, Senegal, Niger. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Egg-eating SnakeDasypeltis scabra
Southern Brown Egg EaterDasypeltis inornata
East African Egg EaterDasypeltis medici
Montane Egg-eaterDasypeltis atra
Central African Egg-eating SnakeDasypeltis fasciata
Confusing Egg EaterDasypeltis confusa
Gans’ Egg EaterDasypeltis gansi
Dasypeltis parascabraDasypeltis parascabra
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
- Dasypeltis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dasypeltis sahelensis
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.