Gerrhopilidae – Indo-Malayan blindsnakes
Being non-venomous and vulnerable due to their size, they often resort to hiding or fleeing into the soil to escape predators
Fascinating creatures that belong to a family of snakes that are often overlooked due to their secretive and underground lifestyle. These snakes are especially interesting because of their unique adaptations to a life spent mostly beneath the surface of the ground. First and foremost, they are quite small and slender, which allows them to navigate through soil and tight spaces where other predators cannot follow.
The appearance of Gerrhopilidae is marked by their smooth, shiny skin, which adapts to their burrowing habits. The skin often appears in shades of brown or gray, helping them blend into the dark environments underground. One of the most distinctive features of these snakes is their eyes, which are very tiny and covered with translucent scales. This feature gives them the name “blindsnakes,” as their vision is highly reduced and adapted only to detect light from the dark, which is sufficient for their survival underground.
These snakes have heads that are not much wider than their bodies, adding to their worm-like appearance. Their tails are also short and blunt, which can be used effectively to compact the soil as they move. Interestingly, despite their small size and delicate appearance, Gerrhopilidae are quite robust in their construction and equipped to handle the pressures of burrowing.
Gerrhopilidae are found primarily in the Indo-Malayan region, including parts of Southeast Asia and some Pacific islands. Their habitats are varied but are generally moist, tropical environments where the soil is soft enough for burrowing. They are nocturnal, coming out mainly at night to feed and explore. Their diet primarily consists of ants, termites, and other small invertebrates, which they hunt using their keen sense of smell rather than sight.
