| Bibron's blind snake | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Typhlopidae |
| Genus: | Afrotyphlops |
| Species: | A. bibronii |
| Binomial name | |
| Afrotyphlops bibronii (A. Smith, 1846) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Bibron's blind snake (Afrotyphlops bibronii) is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. [3] [4] The species is native to southern Africa. [5]
The specific name, bibronii, is in honor of French herpetologist Gabriel Bibron. [2] [6]
A. bibronii is found in Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. [2] [5]
A heavy-bodied species of blind snake, A. bibronii is dark olive-brown to brown dorsally, and is paler ventrally. Adults are darker than juveniles. Adults may attain a snout-vent length (SVL) of 29.5 cm (11+5⁄8 in). Its scales are arranged in 30 rows around the body, and there are more than 300 scales in the middorsal row. [5]
The snout is very prominent, with an angular but not sharp edge, below which are located the nostrils. The rostral is very large, extending posteriorly as far as the eyes. The portion of the rostral visible from above is broader than long. The nasals are semidivided, the suture proceeding from the first upper labial. One preocular is present, which is narrower than the nasal or the ocular, and in contact with the second upper labial. There are four upper labials. The eye is distinct, below the suture between the ocular and the preocular. The prefrontal is much larger than the supraoculars and the parietals, which are larger than the body scales. The diameter of the body goes 28 to 36 times into the total length. The tail is short, as broad as long, or broader than long, ending in a spine. [7]
The preferred natural habitats of A. bibronii are coastal grasslands and the Highveld, [5] at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). [1]
Bibron's blind snake is fossorial, and will burrow into brood chambers of termites and ants. It is protected from the bites of soldier ants by its close-fitting, shiny scales. [5] It is often flushed to the surface of its burrow after heavy rains or flood. [8]
A. bibronii feeds on larvae and eggs of termites and ants. [5]
A. bibronii is oviparous. [2] Mature females lay eggs from January through March, which is late Summer in southern Africa. Clutch size varies from 5 to 14. Each egg measures about 43 mm × 10 mm (1+11⁄16 in × 3⁄8 in). The embryos within the eggs are well-developed, and the shell walls are thin. The female may remain with the eggs, guarding them until hatching. After only 5–6 days, the hatchlings emerge, with an average total length (including tail) of 11.5 cm (4+1⁄2 in). [5]
Amerotyphlops brongersmianus, known commonly as Brongersma's worm snake or the South American striped blindsnake, is a species of harmless blind snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is native to South America and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Grypotyphlops acutus, also known as the beaked worm snake, beaked blind snake, or beak-nosed worm snake, is a harmless blind snake species endemic to peninsular India. It is the only species in the genus Grypotyphlops. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Letheobia simonii is a blind snake species endemic to the Middle East. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Anomalepis mexicana is a species of snake in the Anomalepididae family.
Leptotyphlops nigricans, also known as the black threadsnake or black worm snake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is endemic to Africa.
The prong-snouted blind snake is a species of non-venomous worm-like burrowing snakes belonging to the Typhlopidae family. It is endemic to central southern, continental Australia.
Anilios endoterus is commonly known as the interior blind snake. It is one of 42 species of snake in the genus Anilios (Ramphotyphlops) from the Typhlopidae family living in Australia. These snakes appear to be blind, having vestigial eyes that are extremely sensitive to light. It is a cryptic burrowing snake that lives in tunnels underground, living mainly on a diet of ants. They are found in arid and semi-arid desert regions of central Australia and are considered endangered in New South Wales (NSW).
Rhinotyphlops lalandei, known commonly as Delalande's beaked blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
Rhinotyphlops schinzi, commonly known as Schinz's beaked blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
Letheobia somalica, also known as the highland beaked snake or Ethiopian blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia.
Rhinotyphlops unitaeniatus, commonly known as the yellow-striped blind snake or the Kenya beaked snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family. It is endemic to Africa.
The Bahamian slender blind snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae.
The blotched blind snake is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family.
The wedge-snouted blind snake, also known as the wedgenose blind snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family.
Fornasini's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
The Malawi blind snake, also known as the slender blind snake or southern gracile blind snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family. It is endemic to Africa.
Schmidt's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to Central and Southern Africa.
Afrotyphlops schlegelii, commonly known as Schlegel's beaked blind snake or Schlegel's giant blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to eastern and southern Africa, and bears the distinction of being the world's largest typhlopid. It is harmless to humans and lives exclusively on a diet of termites.
Afrotyphlops is a genus of snakes in the family Typhlopidae.
The African giant blind snake, also called the Zambezi beaked blind snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family.
