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Atractaspididae

Usambara Centipede-eater

Harmless

Aparallactus werneri

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The Usambara Centipede-eater (Aparallactus werneri) is a non-venomous snake in the Atractaspididae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Family
Atractaspididae
Danger
high

About the Usambara Centipede-eater

Aparallactus werneri, or the Usambara centipede-eater, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Usambara Centipede-eater

Is the Usambara Centipede-eater venomous?
No. The Usambara Centipede-eater (Aparallactus werneri) 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 Usambara Centipede-eater poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Usambara Centipede-eater is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Usambara Centipede-eater dangerous?
The Usambara Centipede-eater is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Usambara Centipede-eater live?
The Usambara Centipede-eater has verified records in 2 countries, including Tanzania, United Republic of, Congo, Democratic Republic of the. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Atractaspididae 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
Atractaspididae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Aparallactus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Aparallactus werneri

Keep learning

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