Colubridae
Sind Longnose Sand Snake
HarmlessLytorhynchus paradoxus
The Sind Longnose Sand Snake (Lytorhynchus paradoxus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Sind Longnose Sand Snake
Lytorhynchus paradoxus, commonly known as the Sindh awl-headed snake and the Sind longnose sand snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the desert areas of Pakistan and India (Rajasthan).
Description
The snout of L. paradoxus is long and acutely pointed. The rostral has a lateral cleft. The suture between the internasals is shorter than that between the prefrontals and shorter than the upper part of the rostral. The frontal is nearly as long as its distance from the end of the snout, as long as the parietals. The supraocular is narrow. There are three preoculars and two postoculars. The temporals are arranged 2+2 or 2+3. There are 8 upper labials, the fifth entering the eye. There are 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shields. The anterior chin shields are shorter but much broader than the posterior chin shields.
The dorsal scales are in 19 rows at midbody. The ventrals are slightly angulate laterally, and number 169-175. The anal is divided. The subcaudals number 40-53.
The body is cream-coloured above, with a dorsal series of transverse brown spots and a less distinct lateral series of smaller spots on each side. There is a large rhomboidal brown spot on the back of the head, and a brown band behind the eye. The lower parts are white .
The total length is 14 inches (360 mm), including the tail which is 2.3 inches (58 mm) long.
Reproduction
L. paradoxus is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Sind Longnose Sand Snake
- Is the Sind Longnose Sand Snake venomous?
- No. The Sind Longnose Sand Snake (Lytorhynchus paradoxus) 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 Sind Longnose Sand Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sind Longnose Sand Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Sind Longnose Sand Snake dangerous?
- The Sind Longnose Sand Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Sind Longnose Sand Snake live?
- The Sind Longnose Sand Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Pakistan, India. 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
- Lytorhynchus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Lytorhynchus paradoxus
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.