Description
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INTRODUCTION
- Non Venomous
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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
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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)
Fontes e Créditos
- (c) Vinay Gogula, todos os direitos reservados, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
- (c) Vinay Gogula, alguns direitos reservados (CC BY-SA)
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