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Leptotyphlops telloi (Tello's worm snake, Tello's thread
snake)
Tello se erdslangetjie, Tello se draadslangetjie [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
Tello's worm snake can be identified by its small size,
rounded head and highly polished scales and it is entirely fossorial
(underground living). It grows to an average length of 14 cm and a maximum
length of 18 cm.
Distribution and habitat
This snake species is restricted to the Lebombo Mountains.
Food
Eats invertebrates.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes,
birds, small
carnivorous
mammals
(e.g.
mongooses) and
scorpions.
Reproduction
Probably oviparous (egg-laying).
Longevity
Unknown.
Medical importance
None.
Links
References
-
Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
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Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of
Southern Africa. Struik Publishing, Cape Town.
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