Atractaspididae
Usambara Centipede-eater
HarmlessAparallactus werneri
No photograph available
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
Cape Centipede-EaterAparallactus capensis
Reticulated Centipede-EaterAparallactus lunulatus- Black Centipede-EaterAparallactus guentheri
Western Forest Centipede-eaterAparallactus modestus
Jackson’s centipede-eaterAparallactus jacksonii
Spotted Harlequin SnakeHomoroselaps lacteus
Southern Stiletto SnakeAtractaspis bibronii
Common Purple-glossed SnakeAmblyodipsas polylepis
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
- 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.