Colubridae
Seychelles Wolf Snake
HarmlessLycognathophis seychellensis
6 photographs of the Seychelles Wolf Snake. © Michael Bakker Paiva.
The Seychelles Wolf Snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Seychelles Wolf Snake
The Seychelles wolf snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis) is a species of snake in the superfamily Colubroidea. It is monotypic within the genus Lycognathophis. The Neo-Latin name, Lycognathophis, is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf", γνάθος (gnathos) meaning "jaw", and όφις (ophis) meaning "snake", referring to the snake's dentition.
Geographic range
It is endemic to Seychelles.
Description
This species has 20-22 large, subequal maxillary teeth and its anterior mandibular teeth are very large, much larger than in the posterior. Its head is very distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate, with a vertically elliptic pupil but no loreal shield. Body elongate; dorsal scales keeled, with apical pits, in 17 rows. Tail long; anal divided; subcaudals paired. Ventrals 184-202; subcaudals 92-110.
Dorsally yellowish or grayish brown, uniform or with dark brown spots; dark streak on each side of head, passing through eye; upper lip yellowish, usually with brown dots; posteriorly four series of brown spots, confluent into stripes on tail. Ventrally yellowish, usually powdered or dotted with brown; a brown spot at each outer end of anterior ventrals.
Adults may attain 1 m (40 inches) in total length, with a tail 31 cm (12 inches) long.
Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Conservation status
It is threatened by habitat loss.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Seychelles Wolf Snake
- Is the Seychelles Wolf Snake venomous?
- No. The Seychelles Wolf Snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis) 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 Seychelles Wolf Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Seychelles Wolf Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Seychelles Wolf Snake dangerous?
- The Seychelles Wolf Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Seychelles Wolf Snake live?
- The Seychelles Wolf Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Seychelles. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
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
- Lycognathophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lycognathophis seychellensis
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.