Reptiles · Squamata · Typhlopidae

Eurasian Blind Snake

Typhlops vermicularis

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The Eurasian blind snake is the only blind snake on the continent and one of the smallest snakes in Europe. It lives underground, its eyes reduced to two dark dots beneath the scales, and it feeds on ants and termites, above all on their larvae and pupae. It goes entirely unnoticed and is often mistaken for an earthworm.

Size

20 cm – 38 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestDesertGrasslandInsectivore Nocturnal Solitary Reptile Temperate forest Desert Grassland

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Fun facts

It is the only blind snake in Europe and one of the smallest snakes on the continent: it lives underground, its eyes reduced to two spots beneath the scales, and it can only tell light from dark.
It goes into anthills and feeds on larvae and pupae without the ants attacking it, protected by smooth, tightly packed scales and probably by secretions that mask its scent.
Its body is of uniform thickness with a tail as blunt as its head, which means it is regularly mistaken for a large earthworm.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Loose soils, stony slopes and dry scrub of the Balkans, Turkey and the Near East
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 45 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 6 eggs

Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/