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Pseudoxyrhophiidae

Tiny Night Snake

Harmless

Ithycyphus miniatus

Tiny Night Snake
Ithycyphus miniatus, © Samuel GUIRAUDOU
Tiny Night SnakeTiny Night SnakeTiny Night SnakeTiny Night SnakeTiny Night Snake

6 photographs of the Tiny Night Snake. © Samuel GUIRAUDOU.

The Tiny Night Snake (Ithycyphus miniatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Pseudoxyrhophiidae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family
Pseudoxyrhophiidae

About the Tiny Night Snake

Ithycyphus miniatus is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae. The species is native to Madagascar.

Geographic range

I. miniatus is found in northwestern Madagascar.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of I. miniatus are forest and shrubland at lower altitudes.

Venom

I. miniatus is calm and reluctant to bite, but has a venom capable of causing severe pain and, possibly, extensive bleeding in humans.

Behavior and diet

I. miniatus is small and nocturnal and preys on grey mouse lemurs and other small mammals.

In local folklore

The common name of I. miniatus in Malagasy is fandrefiala, and it is greatly feared by many rural people of Madagascar, who believe it is able to hypnotize humans with its gaze.

Taxonomy

I. miniatus was originally described and named by Hermann Schlegel in 1837.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Tiny Night Snake

Is the Tiny Night Snake venomous?
No. The Tiny Night Snake (Ithycyphus miniatus) 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 Tiny Night Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tiny Night Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Tiny Night Snake dangerous?
The Tiny Night Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Tiny Night Snake live?
The Tiny Night Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Madagascar. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Tiny Night Snake eat?
I. miniatus is small and nocturnal and preys on grey mouse lemurs and other small mammals.

Where it is found

More Pseudoxyrhophiidae 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
Pseudoxyrhophiidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Ithycyphus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Ithycyphus miniatus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.