Leptotyphlopidae
Sahel Thread Snake
HarmlessMyriopholis narirostris

The Sahel Thread Snake (Myriopholis narirostris) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
About the Sahel Thread Snake
Myriopholis narirostris is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is found in West Africa and in Middle Africa ; the Reptile Database indicates a more extensive distribution in these areas.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Sahel Thread Snake
- Is the Sahel Thread Snake venomous?
- No. The Sahel Thread Snake (Myriopholis narirostris) 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 Thread Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sahel Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Sahel Thread Snake dangerous?
- The Sahel Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Sahel Thread Snake live?
- The Sahel Thread Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Nigeria, Gambia, Senegal. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Leptotyphlopidae snakes
Hook-snouted worm snakeMyriopholis macrorhyncha
Long-tailed Thread SnakeMyriopholis longicauda
Gambia Blind SnakeMyriopholis algeriensis
Nurse's Blind SnakeMyriopholis nursii
Cairo Blind SnakeMyriopholis cairi
Sindh Thread SnakeMyriopholis blanfordi
Ionides’ worm snakeMyriopholis ionidesi
Boulenger's Blind SnakeMyriopholis macrura
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
- Myriopholis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Myriopholis narirostris
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.