Indotyphlops braminus, commonly known as the brahminy blind snake[4] and
other names, is a non-venomous
blind snake species found mostly in Africa and Asia, but has been introduced in many other parts of the world. They are completely
fossorial (i.e., burrowing) reptiles, with habits and appearance similar to
earthworms, for which they are often mistaken, although close examination reveals tiny scales and eyes rather than the annular segments characteristic of true earthworms. The species is
parthenogenetic and all known specimens have been female.[5] The specific name is a Latinized form of the word
Brahmin. No
subspecies are currently recognized.[4]
Description
Adults measure 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) long, uncommonly to 6 inches (15 cm), making it the smallest known
snake species. The head and tail are superficially similar as the head and neck are indistinct. Unlike other snakes, the head scales resemble the body scales. The eyes are barely discernible as small dots under the head scales. The tip of the tail has a small, pointed spur. Along the body are fourteen rows of
dorsal scales. Coloration ranges from charcoal gray, silver-gray, light yellow-beige, purplish, or infrequently albino, the ventral surface more pale. Coloration of the juvenile form is similar to that of the adult. Behavior ranges from lethargic in appropriate habitat to energetic, quickly seeking the cover of soil or
leaf litter to avoid light.[6][7][8]
The tiny eyes are covered with
translucentscales, rendering these snakes almost entirely blind. The eyes cannot form images, but are still capable of registering light intensity.
Common names
I. braminus is variously known as the brahminy blind snake,[4] flowerpot snake, common blind snake, island blind snake, teliya snake, and Hawaiian blind snake. The moniker "flowerpot snake" derives from the snake's incidental introduction to various parts of the world through the plant trade. "Kurudi" is the common Malayalam term which refers to braminus. "Sirupaambu" is the common Tamil term which refers to braminus.
Distribution
Most likely originally native to Africa and Asia, it is an introduced species in many parts of the world, including
Australia, the
Americas, and
Oceania.
In Europe, it has been found in
Spain[12] (in the
Canary Islands of
Tenerife and
Gran Canaria),[13] in
Italy (on the island of
Ischia),[14] and in
Malta;[15] it is believed to have been introduced in soil imported with potted plants, and has been labeled potentially invasive to native fauna.
Habitat
Usually, brahminy blind snakes occur in urban and agricultural areas.[6] These snakes live underground in
ant and
termite nests. They are also found under logs, moist leaves, stones and humus in wet forest, dry jungle, abandoned buildings, and even city gardens. The distribution and survival of this group of blind snakes directly reflect soil
humidity and
temperature.[10]
Feeding
Their diet consists of the larvae, eggs, and pupae of ants and termites.[6]
Reproduction
I. braminus 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 genetically identical.[6] They are
triploid,[16][17][18] and it has been proposed that the species be transferred to a new genus as Virgotyphlops braminus because of its obligate parthenogenetic nature.[19][20]
^Shea, G.; Stuart, B.L.; Chan-Ard, T.; Wogan, G.; Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B.; Vijayakumar, S.P.; Ramesh, M.; Ganesan, S.R.; Madala, M.; Sreekar, R.; Shankar, G.; Allison, A.; Hamilton, A.; Tallowin, O.; Beraduccii, J.; Howell, K.; Msuya, C.A.; Ngalason, W.; Parker, F.; O'Shea, M.; Iskandar, D. (2021).
"Indotyphlops braminus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T172704A1370555.
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T172704A1370555.en.
^
abMcDiarmid RW,
Campbell JA, Touré TA. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp.
ISBN1-893777-00-6 (series).
ISBN1-893777-01-4 (volume).
Annandale N. 1906. Notes on the fauna of a desert tract in southern India. Part I. Batrachians and reptiles, with remarks on the reptiles of the desert region of the North-West Frontier. Mem. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, Calcutta1: 183–202.
Boulenger GA. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families Typhlopidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I-XXVIII. (Typhlops braminus, pp. 16–17).
Daudin FM. 1802. Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière des Reptiles. Tome septième [Volume 7]. Paris: F. Dufart. 436 pp.
Hedges SB,
Marion AB,
Lipp KM,
Marin J,
Vidal N. 2014. A taxonomic framework for typhlopid snakes from the Caribbean and other regions (Reptilia, Squamata). Caribbean Herpetology (49): 1-61. (Indotyphlops braminus, new combination).
Jones GS, Thomas LA, Wong K. 1995. "Ramphotyphlops braminus ". Herpetological Review26 (4):210-211.
Kelaart EF. 1854. Catalogue of reptiles collected in Ceylon. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Second Series13: 137–140.
Nussbaum RA. 1980. The brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) in the Seychelles Archipelago: Distribution, variation, and further evidence for parthenogenesis. Herpetologica36 (3): 215–221.
Oliver JA,
Shaw CE. 1953. The amphibians and reptiles of the Hawaiian Islands. Zoologica, New York38 (5): 65–95.
Vijayakumar SP,
David P. 2006. Taxonomy, Natural History, And Distribution Of The Snakes Of The Nicobar Islands (INDIA), Based On New Materials And With An Emphasis On Endemic Species. Russian Journal of Herpetology13 (1): 11 – 40.
Wall F. 1919. Notes on a collection of Snakes made in the Nilgiri Hills and the adjacent Wynaad. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.26: 552–584.