Nov
Is It Dangerous?
The Blind Snake is a non-venomous and totally inoffensive species which shares more attributes with a worm than it does a Snake. Blind Snakes cannot bite however can produce a foul odour to deter attackers.
Where Would You Find It?
Blind Snakes are commonly found in the garden when shifting leaf litter or ground debris. Blind Snakes live almost exclusively beneath the soil. They can also be spotted after floods when they are washed out from their preferred hiding spots. Blind Snakes enjoy most environments as long as they are damp and moist.
How Do They Behave?
Blind Snakes after frequently encountered close to ant or termite colonies; their preferred food. They use their great sense of smell to detect their prey and stalk them. Blind Snakes are great at repurposing; they use tunnels and chambers built by insects for their own movement. Blind Snakes also use rotting wood and ground laying refuge for shelter and hunting.
What Does It Eat?
Blind Snakes eat termites, ants and the larvae of both these species. They flick their tongue out when hunting to sense their prey’s presence.
How Big Do They Get?
Around South East Queensland Blind Snakes grow to between 15 and 60cm, although they are most frequently encountered around 30cm.
How Common Are They?
Blind Snakes are a very common species. Due to their secretive nature and the fact they spend most of their time underground, they are scarcely encountered. They are most commonly seen when doing yard work, after floods when they are washed out of their shelter and when cats drag them inside as a gift for the homeowner.
What Are Its Similar Species?
Blind Snakes look a lot like many legless lizard species. Due to their lack of a pattern and dull coloration, Blind Snakes can look like juvenile Black and Brown Snakes.
Did You Know?
- There are 46 species of Blind Snake!
- Blind Snakes have a sharp spine at the tip of their tail which is used for defence!
- The smallest known Snake species is a member of the Blind Snake family: growing to only 10cm long at adulthood!
- The most commonly encountered Blind Snake in South East Queensland is ‘Ramphotyphlops Proximus’.
- When caught above ground the Blind Snake moves in a large over exaggerated ‘S’ shape.
- Blind Snakes are also very fittingly known as ‘Worm Snakes’.
A Snake Catchers Story…
“It was quite late at night and I had been called out to catch a Python. As I arrived at the property, I step out of my car and walk to the garage door when the homeowner freaks out and points at the ground. “Oh my god! It’s another Snake” he exclaims. I look down to find a sorry little Blind Snake. It had rained earlier in the day so the poor little fella had probably been washed out of his hiding spot. I picked him up and put him in a chinese container, releasing both him and the python together later in the night. He seemed very happy to be back underground and away from a cement environment.”