The Brahminy blind snake, scientifically known as Indotyphlops braminus, is a small and intriguing species that often surprises people with its unique lifestyle and appearance. This tiny snake is one of the smallest snakes in the world. Its smooth, shiny body is covered in scales that reflect light, giving it a glossy look similar to a polished bead.
The Brahminy blind snake has very tiny eyes hidden beneath its scales, which means it cannot see well and relies mostly on its other senses, such as touch and smell, to navigate its environment. This snake is found in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, thanks to its remarkable ability to hitch rides in soil, plants, and shipments, making it one of the most widely distributed snakes globally.
One of the most fascinating things about the Brahminy blind snake is its secretive and burrowing lifestyle. It spends almost all of its time underground, slipping through soil, leaf litter, and even cracks in pavement. This hidden life helps it avoid predators and extreme weather, while also giving it access to its favorite food: ants, termites, and their larvae.
The snake’s slender, worm-like body allows it to move easily through narrow spaces, and thanks to its smooth scales, it can glide silently through the earth. Unlike many snakes that hunt by chasing prey or using venom, the Brahminy blind snake uses its keen sense of smell to find ant and termite nests, then consumes its prey slowly and steadily, often swallowing dozens of tiny insects at once.
Distribution
Afghanistan
American Samoa
Anguilla
Aruba
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Central Af. Rep.
China
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
East Timor
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Fiji
Gabon
Guatemala
India
Iran
Iraq
Japan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Macao
Madagascar
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Micronesia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Martin
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Turks & Caicos
UAE
United States
Vanuatu
Vietnam
YemenAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
