Leptotyphlopidae
Shaba thread snake
HarmlessLeptotyphlops kafubi

The Shaba thread snake (Leptotyphlops kafubi) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
About the Shaba thread snake
Leptotyphlops kafubi, also known as the Shaba thread snake, is a species of slender, fossorial snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is found in parts of south-central Africa, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Shaba thread snake
- Is the Shaba thread snake venomous?
- No. The Shaba thread snake (Leptotyphlops kafubi) 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 Shaba thread snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Shaba thread snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Shaba thread snake dangerous?
- The Shaba thread snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Shaba thread snake live?
- The Shaba thread snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Zambia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Angola. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Leptotyphlopidae snakes
Black Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops nigricans
Peter's Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops scutifrons
Merker's thread SnakeLeptotyphlops merkeri
Forest Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops sylvicolus
Incognito Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops incognitus
Distant's Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops distanti
Cape Thread SnakeLeptotyphlops conjunctus
Goggle-eyed worm snakeLeptotyphlops macrops
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
- Leptotyphlops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Leptotyphlops kafubi
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.