BLIND SNAKE

any of about 150 species of small, burrowing snakes that make up the family Typhlopidae. Their vestigial eyes are buried under the head scales. Most are of the genus Typhlops, which ranges over most tropical areas. Blind snakes feed on small invertebrates, mainly ants and termites. Some of these snakes grow to about 75 centimetres (30 inches) long, but most are less than 20 cm (8 in.). Blunt-headed, shiny, smooth, and cylindrical, blind snakes also have bluntly rounded tails, usually ending in a short spine. The teeth are small and are usually present only in the upper jaw. The name worm snake is sometimes applied to the Typhlopidae but seems better reserved for certain colubrids (see worm snake). The closely related thread snakes, or slender blind snakes, are African and tropical American snakes that total more than 60 species of the family Leptotyphlopidae. Thread snakes have a well-developed pelvis and an internal thighbone; some have external claws on either side of the anus. The largest species, the Venezuelan Leptotyphlops macrolepis, reaches a length of 30 cm (12 in.); most are 1017 cm (47 in.). Thread snakes feed on insect larvae, primarily those of ants and termites; some lay their eggs in termite nests, which provide protection for the eggs and food for the young.