
Fig 1

Fig 2
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Family : TYPHLOPIDAE
Species : Ramphotyphlops braminus
Maximum Length : 20 cm
A very common, but rarely
seen, species which spends much of its time burrowing in soil and leaf
litter. They may be encountered when digging in soil, when turning over logs
or rocks or after a heavy downpour when they are forced to the ground
surface. This is one of the world's smallest snakes, rarely exceeding 20 cm
in length.
The body is dark brown to
black throughout. The head is barely
discernible from the body, and the tiny eyes appear as black dots. Virtually
blind this snake can, however, distinguish between light and dark. The tail is
short and blunt and bears a short, sharp spine. The Brahminy Blind Snake
feeds on small invertebrates, mainly ant larvae and pupae. The species is
the only known parthenogenetic snake i.e. all specimens are female and
reproduction is asexual.
The species ranges
throughout Southeast Asia, and has populated other parts of the world
including the Middle East, Africa and the U.S.
Fig 1 : A 12 cm specimen found in secondary
forest in the Portsdown Road area, Singapore
Fig 2 : The tiny eyes are visible in this specimen found at surface after heavy
rainfall, Singapore.
References :
Cox, van Dijk, Nabhitabhata, Thirakhupt, 1998. A photographic Guide to
Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
New Holland.
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