Atractaspididae

Atractaspididae is a family of venomous snakes commonly known as stiletto snakes, burrowing asps, or simply stiletto snakes. This family is endemic to Africa. Members of this family are characterized by their unusually long, hollow, and fixed front fangs, which are used for injecting venom. Their tails are often short and bluntly pointed, sometimes appearing to be another head.

The Atractaspididae family contains several genera, including Atractaspis, Homoroselaps, and Xenocalamus. These snakes are typically small to medium-sized, with slender bodies and smooth scales. They are primarily fossorial, meaning they spend most of their lives underground, inhabiting burrows or digging their own. This lifestyle influences their morphology, with some species having reduced eyes and blunt snouts.

Despite their potent venom, Atractaspididae are generally not considered highly dangerous to humans. Their small mouths and fixed fangs make it difficult for them to deliver a full envenomation unless provoked or handled. However, bites can still occur, and the venom can cause local pain, swelling, and sometimes more severe systemic effects. Due to their elusive nature and fossorial habits, encounters with these snakes are relatively rare. Their diet primarily consists of small vertebrates such as lizards, amphibians, and other small mammals.