Leptotyphlops | |
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Peters's threadsnake (L. scutifrons) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Leptotyphlopidae |
Genus: | Leptotyphlops Fitzinger, 1843 |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Leptotyphlops is a genus of nonvenomous blind snakes, commonly known as slender blind snakes and threadsnakes, [2] in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The genus is endemic to and found throughout Africa. Eleven species have been moved to the genus Trilepida , and other species have been moved to the genera Epacrophis , Epictia , Mitophis , Myriopholis , Namibiana , Rena , Siagonodon , Tetracheilostoma , and Tricheilostoma .
Most species of Leptotyphlops look much like shiny earthworms. They are pink or brown, and their scales give them a segmented appearance. Other species are black in color, but have the same general body structure. Their common name comes from the fact that their eyes are greatly reduced almost to the point of uselessness, and hidden behind a protective head scale. The species which are called thread snakes are so named because of their very narrow, long bodies.
All blind snakes including those of the genus Leptotyphlops are burrowing snakes, spending most of their time deep in loose soil, typically only emerging when it rains and they get flooded out.
The primary diet of Leptotyphlops is ant and termite larvae.
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type species.
The Leptotyphlopidae are a family of snakes found in North America, South America, Africa and Asia. All are fossorial and adapted to burrowing, feeding on ants and termites. Two subfamilies are recognized.
Rena humilis, known commonly as the western blind snake, the western slender blind snake, or the western threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Six subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Rena dulcis, also known commonly as the Texas blind snake, the Texas slender blind snake, or the Texas threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to the Southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Typhlops is a genus of blind snakes in the family Typhlopidae. The genus is endemic to the West Indies. Some species which were formerly placed in the genus Typhlops have been moved to the genera Afrotyphlops, Amerotyphlops, Anilios, Antillotyphlops, Argyrophis, Cubatyphlops, Indotyphlops, Letheobia, Madatyphlops, Malayotyphlops, and Xerotyphlops.
Rhinotyphlops is a genus of blind snakes in the family Typhlopidae. The genus is found in Africa, the Middle East, and India. Some species formerly assigned to the genus Rhinotyphlops have been moved to the genera Afrotyphlops and Letheobia.
Bailey's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Ecuador.
The Michoacán slender blind snake, also known commonly as la culebrilla ciega de Michoacán in Spanish, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Michoacán, Mexico.
The collared blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is monotypic in the genus Habrophallos.
The San Salvador blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae.
Joshua's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Colombia.
Amaral's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is native to South America.
Dugand's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Emin Pasha's worm snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to northern East Africa.
The Santander blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Colombia.
The big-scaled blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to southern Central America and northern South America.
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.
Nurse's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae.
The Espírito Santo blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
The northern blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Peru.
Wilson's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is native to Yemen.
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