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Typhlops bibronii (Bibron's blind snake)
Bibron se blindeslang [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: Typhlopidae > Genus:
Typhlops
Identification
Bibron's blind snake can be identified by the following;
its shiny brown colour, small eyes and underground lifestyle. It grows to an
average length of 38 cm and a maximum length of 48 cm.
Distribution and habitat
This snake has a wide distribution and is found throughout
the eastern half of South Africa and a small portion of eastern Zimbabwe. Its
favoured habitat is coastal forest and moist savanna.
Food
Eats invertebrates (particularly termite and ant larvae).
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays between 2 and 14 eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Unknown.
Medical importance
None.
Links
References
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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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