Description: A small (up to 15" in total length), relatively thin, pink, gray, or mauve snake that resembles a shiny earthworm. Both the head and tail are rounded and blunt. The head is not distinct from the neck. The eyes are vestigial and appear as dark spots underneath the ocular scales. Unlike most snakes the belly scales of this snake are not enlarged. A small spine protrudes from the end of the tail. There are no teeth in the upper jaw and only a few teeth in the lower jaw. This snake has only one scale between the oculars on the top of the head distinguishing it from the similar looking Texas Blind Snake which has three scales between the oculars

Habitat: desertscrub communities, Semidesert Grassland, Interior Chaparral, and the lower reaches of our woodlands are home to this snake. It is usually found below steep mountainous terrain on bajadas, in foothills, canyon bottoms, and low valleys.

Range: SW Utah, SE Nevada.

Found in these States: NV | UT

Diet: The Western Threadsnake forages underground for ants, termites, other small insects, centipedes, and spiders. It locates prey by following ant scent trails to the nest.

Reproduction: Mating probably takes place in spring. A clutch of up to 8 eggs is laid in summer. This snake sometimes nests communally and females tend to their eggs.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: