Western Forest Stiletto Snake

About the Western Forest Stiletto Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Western Forest Stiletto Snake

Is the Western Forest Stiletto Snake venomous?

Yes. The Western Forest Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis aterrima) is venomous and belongs to the Atractaspididae family (stiletto snake (burrowing asp)). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Western Forest Stiletto Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Forest Stiletto Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Is the Western Forest Stiletto Snake dangerous?

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Where does the Western Forest Stiletto Snake live?

The Western Forest Stiletto Snake has verified records in 18 countries, including Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Western Forest Stiletto Snake

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

More Atractaspididae snakes

• 
  Southern Stiletto Snake
  Atractaspis bibronii
• 
  Israeli Mole Viper
  Atractaspis engaddensis
• 
  Peters' Burrowing Asp
  Atractaspis fallax
• 
  Anderson's Stiletto Snake
  Atractaspis andersonii
• 
  Beaked Burrowing Asp
  Atractaspis duerdeni
• 
  Variable Burrowing Asp
  Atractaspis irregularis
• 
  Watson’s Burrowing Asp
  Atractaspis watsoni
• 
  Congo Burrowing Asp
  Atractaspis congica

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

Atractaspis

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Atractaspis aterrima

Keep learning

• Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
• Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
• 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 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.