Anomalepididae
São Sebastião Blind Snake
HarmlessLiotyphlops caissara
The São Sebastião Blind Snake (Liotyphlops caissara) is a non-venomous snake in the Anomalepididae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Anomalepididae
About the São Sebastião Blind Snake
The São Sebastião Blind Snake belongs to the Anomalepididae family, dawn blindsnakes. Primitive, tiny burrowing snakes of the American tropics.
Dawn blindsnakes are minute, worm-like burrowers that, like other blindsnakes, feed on ants and termites. They retain several primitive features that interest biologists studying early snake evolution.
Its genus, Liotyphlops, covers Dawn blind snakes. Tiny, worm-like burrowing snakes from Central and South America that spend nearly their whole lives underground hunting ant and termite broods.
The São Sebastião Blind Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check.
It has been recorded in Brazil.
Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.
Frequently asked: São Sebastião Blind Snake
- Is the São Sebastião Blind Snake venomous?
- No. The São Sebastião Blind Snake (Liotyphlops caissara) 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 São Sebastião Blind Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The São Sebastião Blind Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the São Sebastião Blind Snake dangerous?
- The São Sebastião Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the São Sebastião Blind Snake live?
- The São Sebastião Blind Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Anomalepididae snakes
Ternetz's Blind SnakeLiotyphlops ternetzii
Bonda Blind SnakeLiotyphlops bondensis
Whitenose Blind SnakeLiotyphlops albirostris
Caracas BlindsnakeLiotyphlops caracasensis
Cope's Blind SnakeLiotyphlops anops
São Paulo Blind SnakeLiotyphlops schubarti
Wilder's Blind SnakeLiotyphlops wilderi
Liotyphlops pinoLiotyphlops pino
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
- Anomalepididae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Liotyphlops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Liotyphlops caissara
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. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.