Leptotyphlopidae
Western Thread Snake
HarmlessNamibiana occidentalis
6 photographs of the Western Thread Snake. © Ryan van Huyssteen.
The Western Thread Snake (Namibiana occidentalis) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
About the Western Thread Snake
Namibiana occidentalis, also known as the western threadsnake or western worm snake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is found in Namibia and north-western South Africa.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Western Thread Snake
- Is the Western Thread Snake venomous?
- No. The Western Thread Snake (Namibiana occidentalis) 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 Western Thread Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Thread Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Western Thread Snake dangerous?
- The Western Thread Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Western Thread Snake live?
- The Western Thread Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Angola. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Leptotyphlopidae 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
- Leptotyphlopidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Namibiana
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Namibiana occidentalis
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.