Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Typhlopidae
Distinguishing features
They are small, worm-like burrowers. The tail is typically tipped with a small, sharp spine and the eyes appear as dark spots beneath the head scales. The body scales are all of similar size and tightly overlap.
Some species lay eggs but it is not known if this applies to all. (QM)
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Diet
They feed on termites and the larvae and pupae of ants.
Web resources
Danger
- not dangerous - These snakes are non-venomous and harmless. They cannot bite and have limited defensive capabilities. These include producing a pungent odour from the anal glands, vomiting up their last meal or prodding with the tail spine to produce an unpleasant prickling sensation. (QM)