Blind Snakes (Family Typhlopidae): South-east Queensland

Blind snakes are small (to 40 cm), smooth, worm-like, burrowing snakes. Their eyes have been reduced to diffuse dark spots, probably capable of discerning little more than light and dark. Their tails are bluntly rounded, normally terminating in a short spur. Their scales are glossy and close-fitting, with the belly scales being small and the same as the other body scales. Blind snakes are Australia's only insectivorous snakes, feeding on termites and the eggs, larvae and pupae of ants. All species are non-venomous and are extremely secretive and difficult to locate. Five species are known to occur in the Brisbane area. They are largely restricted to bushland and outer areas. None has a common name. Arranged in alphabetical order by species name.

Image	Common Name	Scientific Name	Bite
		Ramphotyphlops affinis	harmless
		Ramphotyphlops ligatus	harmless
		Ramphotyphlops nigrescens	harmless
		Ramphotyphlops proximus	harmless
		Ramphotyphlops wiedii	harmless