Distributed range & status
These harmless blind snake species are found mostly in Africa, Australia, Asia & America. But also has been introduced in many other parts of the world. These snakes are given the name flowerpot snake because they have been introduced in various parts of the world through the plant trade.
In Sri Lanka they are found in mid hills such as Hatton, Pussellawa, Lindulla, Balangoda, Pundaluoya & Kotagala.
Scales
rostral |
Anterior part of it is broader & gradually becomes narrower. It does not spread towards the eyes. 1/3 broad as the head. |
frontal |
Same size as the pre-frontal & inter parietal. |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
inter parietals are same size as the frontal & pre frontals. |
prefrontals |
Same size as the frontal & inter parietal. |
nasals |
divided |
internasals |
|
loreals |
|
preoculars |
|
postoculars |
|
temporals |
1 |
Supralabials |
4 |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
148-168 |
anal |
|
subcaudals |
3-9 |
The head scales are relatively large and resemble those on the body. There are 17 rows of dorsal scales along the entire body. The scales are smooth and shiny.
Characteristics
The head and tail-tip look much the same, with no distinct neck. There are subsquramous glands with straps on the head. The rudimentary eyes appear only as a pair of small dots under the head scales. The snout is acute. It is not laterally sharpened. The tip of the tail ends with a minute spine & the tail is short.
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.
Brahminy blind snake: Left to right: Top of the head; side of the head. The eyes are hidden under the scales.
Brahminy blind snake: Tail, showing tiny spur on tip.
Colour
The coloration of the adults varies from shiny silver gray to charcoal gray or purple. There are yellow markings. The tail region has a distinct yellow areaenclosing a black patch dorsally. The ventral body is grayish to brown. Juveniles are colored similar as the adults.
Venom
These snakes are non venomous. Do not try to attack.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
These snakes are completely fossorial & burrowing. Usually occur in urban and agricultural areas, underground in ant and termite nests. They are also found under logs burrows in the soil, moist leaves and humus in wet forest, dry jungle and even city gardens. They are found in colonies in roots of Banana, silted drains within tea estates & vegetable beds. The distribution and survival of this group of snakes directly reflects soil humidity and temperature.
They are found on top of the soil in the rainy season. They are capable of climbing trees & swimming. When exited they move fast & an unpleasant odor is released from its body. They act as a repellant to ants & other predators.
Breeding
This species is parthenogenesis and all specimens collected so far have been female. They are the only snake species which reproduce by parthenogenesis. They lay eggs or may bear live young. Up to 8 offspring are produced. They are all genetically identical.
Growth
At birth they measure 35mm & adults are 150-170mm in length.
Food
Their diet consists of earth worms, larvae eggs and pupae of ants & termites.
Identification
None, though it is frequently mistaken for earthworms. Both are shiny but the earthworms are segmented while the Brahminy blind snake is not. Neither can the Brahminy blind snake stretch itself out or contract like an earthworm.
Myths & believes
The specific name is a Latinized form of the word Brahmin, which is a caste among Hindus.
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