Stiletto Snake

The stiletto snake is one of the most fearsome predators in Africa, even though it looks relatively harmless. With wandering fangs, these snakes can’t be held at any place on the body safely, and it’s incredibly difficult to tell the head from the tail. Proper identification of the stiletto snake is crucial to avoid thinking you are completely out of the woods. Since they look a lot like harmless species, make sure to look for the small eyes and black or dark brown colors that often adorn their scales.

4 Amazing Stiletto Snake Facts

Here are a few interesting facts about stiletto snakes.

• This reptile is known for releasing snake venom that melts bone. Without treatment, it is possible for a victim of a bite wound to lose fingers.
• Rather than holding the snake behind its head, handlers must avoid the head at all costs to prevent being bitten by the rotating fangs of these predators.
• The colors of the stiletto snake are fairly similar to that of more harmless species.
• The average lifespan of a stiletto snake is 12-20 years. However, some have reached a total lifespan of over 22 years in captivity.

Where to Find Stiletto Snakes

The stiletto snake is endemic to Africa, though they are able to live in a wide range of habitats in the location. Their primary location is in sub-Sahara Africa, preferring habitats with plenty of vegetation to conceal themselves. This vegetation also attracts their prey, ensuring that they can indulge in their carnivorous diet.

These snakes prefer to make their habitats in fynbos, karoo scrub, semi-desert, savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, and forests, allowing them to thrive as vicious predators.

Stiletto Snake Scientific Name

The stiletto snake, which also goes by the side-stabbing snake or Bibron’s mole viper, has the scientific name Atractaspis bibronii. Their scientific name originates from Gabriel Bribon, the late French herpetologist. It is part of the Lamprophiidae family of the Reptilia class.

There are over 20 different species of stiletto snake.

Stiletto Snake Population & Conservation Status

The current conservation status for stiletto snakes is “not extinct.” Though there is not a specific population known, a project in South Africa called Save the Snakes works to educate the public about the importance of snakes in their ecosystems.

How to Identify Stiletto Snakes: Appearance and Description

Identification of these snakes is a little difficult because they tend to look like other species in their colors and pattern. However, improper identification is dangerous because their similarities to harmless snakes are misleading.

These animals are highly dangerous, featuring fangs that can move around to the outside of their mouth without any other movements. In most cases, the entire body features a range of dark brown to black colors. However, some of them may be black through most of the body and white on the belly.

The eyes of the snake are quite small. Generally, their size is about 12-16 inches long. In some cases, these snakes have been known to reach a much larger size at 21+ inches long.

How to identify stiletto snakes:

• Black or dark brown colors on entire body.
• May have a white belly.
• Small eyes.
• Fangs that rotate to the side of its mouth.

The Curious Fangs of the Stiletto Snake

The fangs of these snakes are the reason that they have their name. These hollow fangs are incredibly large, and the snake doesn’t even need its head to be free to bite. Instead, it can twist its head sideways to make contact with the predator and its fang, releasing the venom quickly. Even if it can’t move its head, the fangs have a flexible, socket-like joint where the fang meets the jaw. They don’t even need to open their mouth to strike prey.

If the snake strikes a human, the only way to manage symptoms and potentially protect themselves from the snake venom that melts bone is to seek attention at a hospital immediately.

Stiletto Snake Pictures

Stiletto Snake Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

When it comes to the venom of the stiletto snake, beware! This venom is incredibly toxic to anyone, even though the snake only produces minimal amounts. The majority of people bitten are snake handlers, who unknowingly are bitten when they hold the snake by the neck. According to researchers, while there are no fatalities currently reported for this venom, the severity of the symptoms is quite painful with a bite wound. With the initial onset of the bite, you might experience nausea or a dry throat. However, as the venom progresses through the body, the bite wound becomes incredibly painful. Blistering, necrosis, and lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes) are common reactions.

The snake venom that melts bone is no laughing matter, and fast treatment is crucial to reduce the risk of losing digits. Unfortunately, no known anti-venom works, and you will need to go to a hospital or medical practitioner to treat the symptoms.

Stiletto Snake Behavior and Humans

This snake’s venom is incredibly dangerous to humans. They are not outwardly aggressive and won’t seek out humans to bite, but they have no problem defending themselves against a threat. Luckily, they are endemic to Africa, so it is unlikely that humans will naturally come across these animals in any other region.

Similar Animals

• Black mamba
• Boomslang
• Vine snake