Brahminy Blindsnakes are the smallest snakes in the world.

Because of their burrowing habits, they are often mistaken for earthworms, but you can distinguish them from earthworms as the latter are segmented and Brahminy Blindsnakes are not. They are also considered the smallest snakes in the world. They are also the smallest known snake species in the world.

Brahminy Blindsnake Amazing Facts

• This species is parthenogenetic, meaning that all individuals are female with offspring identical genetically to their mothers.
• They are the most wide-ranging terrestrial reptiles in the world.
• Although they cannot see, they can sense light.
• Its primary nickname of flowerpot snake comes from its introduction throughout the world because of the plant trade.

Where To Find Brahminy Blindsnakes

In their natural habitat, Brahminy Blindsnakes live in loose soil, leaf litter, rotting logs, sawdust, and beneath surface debris and rocks in jungles and other areas with high humidity. Occasionally, you will find them in trees. Because they like to hide in the pots of tropical plants, they have spread all over the world and have become abundant in many urban areas in tropical and semitropical climates. These snakes love bathroom floors in urban areas because of high humidity, plus other areas of houses such as the spaces between walls and under the carpet or other flooring. The presence of these snakes inside your home when you have sealed entrances can indicate that you may have an ant or termite infestation. They are social animals with several individuals often hiding in the same area. Their exact lifespan is unknown.

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These snakes are most likely originally indigenous to South Asia, but they also appear to have widespread populations in Africa. Their vertical distribution ranges from sea level to as high as 4,900 feet in Guatemala. Distribution in Africa includes the countries of Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Togo, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zanzibar, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Their native Asian habitat includes Lebanon, Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, Nepal, Pakistan, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Lakshadweep Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, the Malay Peninsula, the Nicobar Islands, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Kyuku Islands. They are also found in many of the maritime islands of Southeast Asia.

As an invasive species, these snakes have colonized various parts of the United States as part of the tropical plant trade. They are particularly prevalent in Florida, California, Georgia, Louisiana, California, Arizona, Connecticut, Texas, and Hawaii. Other places in the Americas where this snake has become invasive include Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Colombia, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Because of their invasive nature, Brahminy Blindsnakes have been introduced in some countries to control the spread of termites. These include Australia, particularly on the Sunshine Coast, in Oceana on Palau, Fiji, Guam, Sipan, and Tahiti.

Other areas where this snake has been found include Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands and Malta.

Brahminy Blindsnake Scientific Name

Indotyphlops braminus is the Latinized form of Brahmin, the Hindu high caste. The common Layaylam term for this snake is Kurudi, while sirupaabmu is the common Tamil term.

Brahminy Blindsnake Population and Conservation Status

Although these snakes are deemed the most populous in the world, their exact population is unknown. Its IUCN conservation status is of least concern. Snakelets are independent at birth. They reproduce at a fast rate, and because they do not need males for reproduction, they can quickly become uncontrollable.

How to Identify Brahminy Blindsnake: Appearance and Description

These snakes are small in length and width, averaging about 4.4 to 6.5 inches long with a maximum length of approximately 6.8 inches. They appear shiny silver grey, charcoal grey, or purple on top with a grey to brown belly. Juveniles have coloration similar to that of adults. Their heads and tails are blunt and difficult to distinguish from one another, although the tail has a tiny pointed spur. Scales are tiny, smooth, and shiny all over their bodies, with 14 rows of scales along their bodies.

Brahminy Blindsnake Pictures

Brahminy Blindsnake: How Dangerous Are They?

They are considered the most populous snake globally, yet their exact numbers are unknown. Their IUCN conservation status is of least concern.

Brahminy Blindsnake Behavior and Humans

They do not bite if threatened by humans and will try to escape by burrowing into the soil. When captured, they sometimes release a foul-smelling musk from glands in their tails. You may only encounter them when digging in the soil or turning over rocks, and even then, you have little fear as they are not poisonous to humans or pets. When caught, they may try to squirm vigorously or prick humans with their tails. Their exact lifespan is unknown.

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