blind Snake (Anilios spp)
Toxicity: Non-venomous.
Description: Blind snakes look like a giant worm. They are a burrowing snake with smooth scales that protect them from ant bites and a uniform thickness body that allows them to travel through soil. The eyes are two small dark spots that are sensitive to light.
The tail is short with a sharp spur on the end that aids with pushing the snake through the earth. Blind snakes don’t bite if handled, but the spur pushes into your hand feeling like it is trying to bite with the tail. They can emit a foul smell as a defensive measure.
There are 46 species of blind snakes in Australia that can grow up to 75 centimetres in length (ref. Australian Museum).
General habits: Blind snakes live their lives underground, following ant and termite trails.
Diet: Ants and termites including larvae.
Locally: Blind snakes are rarely seen on the surface unless they have fallen into a pool or somehow ended up inside a house.
Reproduction: Blind snakes lay up to 20 eggs each breeding season.
Short tail with spur.
Small scales go completely around fairly uniform body shape. No broad belly scales.