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the web of life in southern Africa

Leptotyphlops sylvicolus (Southern forest worm snake, Southern forest thread snake)

Suidelike wouderdslangetjie, Suidelike wouddraadslangetjie [Afrikaans]

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class: Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) > Stegocephalia (terrestrial vertebrates) > Tetrapoda (four-legged vertebrates) > Reptiliomorpha > Amniota > Reptilia (reptiles) > Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria > Squamata > Serpentes (snakes) > Family: Leptotyphlopidae > Genus: Leptotyphlops

Identification

The Southern forest worm snake can be identified by its small size, rounded head and highly polished scales, uniformly black colour  and it is entirely fossorial (underground living). It grows to an average length of 9 cm and a maximum length of 12 cm.

Distribution and habitat

Restricted to a small portion of central KwaZulu-Natal. Its favoured habitat is coastal forest.

Food

Unknown.

Predators, parasites and disease

Eaten by other snakes.

Reproduction

Unknown.

Longevity

Unknown.

Medical importance

None.

Links

References

  • Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.

  • Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. Struik Publishing, Cape Town.