| Ramphotyphlops braminus | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Typhlopidae |
| Genus: | Ramphotyphlops |
| Species: | R. braminus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Ramphotyphlops braminus is a harmless blind snake species found mostly in Africa and Asia, but has been introduced in many other parts of the world. Completely fossorial, they are often mistaken for earthworms, except that they are not segmented. The specific name is a Latinized form of the word Brahmin, which is a caste among Hindus. No subspecies are currently recognized.[2]
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Adults are small and thin, averaging between 6.35-16.5 cm (2½ to 6½ inches) in length. The head and tail-tip look much the same, with no narrowing of the neck. The rudimentary eyes appear only as a pair of small dots under the head scales. The tip of the tail ends with a tiny pointed spur. The head scales are small and resemble those on the body. There are 14 rows of dorsal scales along the entire body. The coloration of the adults varies from shiny silver gray to charcoal gray or purple. The venter is grayish to brown. Juveniles are colored much the same as the adults.[3]
The tiny eyes are covered with translucent scales, rendering these snakes almost entirely blind. The eyes cannot form images, but are still capable of registering light intensity.
Ramphotyphlops braminus is variously known as Brahminy blind snake (or Brahminy blindsnake),[2] flowerpot snake, common blind snake, island blind snake, Hawaiian blind snake, Nilgiri worm snake (for the synonym Typhlops fletcheri), and Perrotet's shieldtail snake (for the synonym Typhlina bramina). The moniker flowerpot snake derives from the snake's incidental introduction to various parts of the world through the plant trade.
Found in Africa and Asia, but being an introduced species in many parts of the world, it is also found in Australia and the Americas. It is common throughout most of Florida [1]
In Africa, it has been reported in Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Somalia, Zanzibar, coastal Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa (an isolated colony in Cape Town), Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, Mauritius, the Mascarene Islands and the Seychelles. In Asia it occurs in Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, mainland India, the Maldives, the Lakshadweep Islands, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Andaman Islands, the Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawashima and Miyakoshima, Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China, Hainan, the Malay Peninsula, the Maritime Southeast Asia including Singapore, Sumatra and nearby islands (the Riao Archipelago, Bangka, Billiton and Nias), Borneo, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Butung, Salajar, Ternate, Halmahera, Buru, Ceram, Ambon, Saparua, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Madura, Flores, Lomblen, Sumba, Timor, Kai Island, the Aru Islands (requires confirmation according to McDowell, 1974:25), New Guinea (Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea), New Britain and Bougainville Island. In Australia in the Northern Territory near Darwin and the northern tip of Queensland). It occurs in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, on Christmas Island, Palau, Guam, Saipan and the Hawaiian Islands. The Americas in the United States (California, Massachusetts, and Florida), western and southern Mexico and Guatemala and in the Cayman Islands. The vertical distribution is from sea level to 1,200 m in Sri Lanka and up to 1,500 m in Gautemala. The type locality given is "Vizagapatam" [India].[1]
This is also the only snake reported from Lakshadweep Islands.[4]
Usually occur in urban and agricultural areas.[3] These snakes live underground in ant and termite nests. They are also found under logs, moist leaves and humus in wet forest, dry jungle and even city gardens. The distribution and survival of this group of snakes directly reflects soil humidity and temperature.[4]
Their diet consists of the larvae, eggs, and pupae of ants and termites.[3]
This species is parthenogenetic and all specimens collected so far have been female. They lay eggs or may bear live young. Up to eight offspring are produced: all female and all genetically identical.[3]
