Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Tiny Night Snake
HarmlessIthycyphus miniatus






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
Perinet Night SnakeIthycyphus perineti
Southwestern Night SnakeIthycyphus oursi
Common Slug-eaterDuberria lutrix
Common Madagascar Cat SnakeMadagascarophis colubrinus
Giant Madagascan Hognose SnakeLeioheterodon madagascariensis
Bernier's Striped SnakeDromicodryas bernieri
Lateral Water SnakeThamnosophis lateralis
Four-striped SnakeDromicodryas quadrilineatus
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
- 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.