Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus
Description 2
INTRODUCTION
- Non Venomous
- Most widely distributed reptile on earth. Invasive in many counties.
- Population consists only of female snakes & reproduces asexually.
- Usually the Representative species of Blind/Worm snakes.
IDENTIFICATION
- Very small snakes with smooth scales and iridescent sheen/b>.
- Cylindrical, glossy body ranging from black to brown colors.
- Have rounded head, small eyes like dots and a pointed tail with a spine.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
- Found everywhere, even in snakeless Island like New Zealand & Lakshwadeep.Native to India & Sri-Lanka.
- Inhabit all kinds of habitats. Microhabitat has loose, moist soil with plenty of gaps & loose roots.
- Survive a wide variety of humidity & temperature. Highly specialized underground survivors
DIET AND BEHAVIOR
- Feed on Ant larvae, insect larvae & eggs and earthworms too.
- Fossorial snakes that come to the surface at night & during rains.
- Burrow deep for moisture in summers & mock-hibernate in winter.
- When handled, restless & tries to poke with pointy tail. Also releases musk.
OTHER BLIND/WORM SNAKES & THREAD SNAKES
8 other species of worm/thread snakes are known in Peninsular India. Belong to different genera :Indotyphlops, Gerrhopilidae, Myriopholis & Rhinotyphlops. Most endemic to some regions like the WG.
- Beaked Blind Snake (Gryptyphlops acutus)
- Longnosed Thread Snake (Myriopholis macrorhyncha)
- Beddome's Worm Snake (Gerrhophilus beddomii)
- Anamalai Wood Snake (Xylophis mosaicus)
Sources and Credits
- (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
- (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Toxicity | Non-Venomous |
|---|---|
| Found | Common |
