Western
Blind Snake
Leptotyphlops humilis
Body length: 7 - 16"
Diet: Insects, spiders, and other invertebrates
Slender and pinkish to gray, western blind snakes look as much like large earthworms
as snakes. They act like earthworms in some ways as well, living underground and
emerging only rarely, such as after a summer downpour. As its name suggests, the
blind snake has only rudimentary eyes and probably is blind. Because of its secretive,
underground habits, little is known about this snake's biology. We do know that
blind snakes eat ants and termites and are eaten by coral
and ring-necked snakes. They have been observed
aggregating into clusters of up to 12 snakes during reproduction, and have been
found underground at approximate depths of 45 feet.
Blind snakes almost certainly occur at Tonto National Monument, and some suggestive
sightings have been recorded. However, the species has never been verified with
a specimen or voucher photograph.
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May 17, 2005