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Reptiles of the United States  
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A Guide to the Reptiles &
Amphibians of the United States
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Snakes of the U.S.

 



Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Snakes »» Leptotyphlopidae (Blind Snakes)

Leptotyphlopidae or Blind Snakes of the United States


Also called worm snakes or thread snakes, the slender blind snake are indeed blind, but possess tuny vestigial eyes that appear as black dots beneath an irregularly shanped ocular scale. These snakes are cahracterized by a short blunt head, short tail, and slender cylindrical body covered with close fitting, overlapping smooth scales arranged in 14 rows around the body. They lack enlarged belly scales. Most range in size from 5" to 15". The teeth are only present in the lower jaw.

These snakes are seldom seen as they are burrowers and crevice dwellers that may emerge around sundown and crawl about on the surface. They feed largely on termites and ants. Females lay small clutches of long slender eggs.

 

There are 5 species of Blind Snakes in the United States, 4 are natrive and 1 is Introduced.

indotyphlops-braminus (291K) (I)

Brahminy Blind Snake
(Indotyphlops braminus)
rena-dulcis_tn (37K)

Texas Blind Snake
(Rena dulcis)
rena-humilis_tn (34K)

Western Blind Snake
(Rena humilis)
rena-segrega (228K)

Trans-Pecos Blind Snake
(Rena segrega)
 

 

 

 
 
 

Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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