Brahminy Blindsnake

Indotyphlops braminus

Last updated: May 27, 2024
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
Radiant Reptilia/Shutterstock.com

These snakes have been introduced to all continents, except Antarctica!


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Brahminy Blindsnake Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Squamata
Genus
Indotyphlops
Scientific Name
Indotyphlops braminus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Brahminy Blindsnake Conservation Status


Brahminy Blindsnake Facts

Fun Fact
These snakes have been introduced to all continents, except Antarctica!
Litter Size
1-8
Diet
Carnivore
Common Name
Flowerpot snake, common blind snake, Teliya snake, Hawaiian blind snake

Brahminy Blindsnake Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Purple
Skin Type
Scales
Length
4.4–6.5 inches
Venomous
No
Aggression
Low

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Brahminy blindsnakes are the smallest snakes in the world.

Due to their burrowing habits, Brahminy blindsnakes are often mistaken for earthworms. You can distinguish them from earthworms as the latter are segmented and Brahminy blindsnakes are not. They are also the smallest known snake species in the world.

4 Amazing Brahminy Blindsnake Facts!

  • This species is believed to be the only known parthenogenetic snake, meaning that all individuals are female with offspring identical genetically to their mothers.
  • They are the most wide-ranging terrestrial reptiles in the world.
  • Although they cannot see, they can sense light.
  • Its primary nickname of flowerpot snake comes from its introduction throughout the world due to the plant trade.
Young elsanta garden strawberry plant (Fragaria) in plastic flowerpot ready to be transplanted to garden

These snakes are called flowerpot snakes as they live in the loose soil of plants.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Brahminy blindsnake is Indotyphlops braminus, including the Latinized form of Brahmin, the Hindu high caste. The common Layaylam term for this snake is Kurudi, while sirupaabmu is the common Tamil term.

These snakes are also known as the flowerpot snake, common blind snake, Teliya snake, and Hawaiian blind snake.

Brahminy Blindsnakes are small, thin, and shiny silver gray, charcoal gray, or purple.

The scientific name of the Brahminy blindsnake is

Indotyphlops braminus

.

Evolution and Origins

The Brahminy blindsnake is a member of the Typhlopidae family of blind snakes, with the earliest fossil record of Typhlopid skin believed to have been identified in Dominican amber. The Typhlopidae family belongs to the Scolecophidia infraorder of snakes, of which threadsnakes are a member, which is thought to have originated in the Middle Jurassic period 174.1 million years to 163.5 million years ago.

This species has evolved to adapt to its environment in a number of ways. As they are fossorial, they burrow and live in loose soil or leaf litter or debris. Since these snakes do not use their eyes, they are vestigial and covered with scales that are translucent. Although their eyes do not allow vision, they are able to register the intensity of light sources.

threadsnake

Threadsnakes and Brahminy blindsnakes belong to the same Scolecophidia infraorder of snakes.

Appearance

These snakes are small in length and width, averaging about 4.4 to 6.5 inches long with a maximum length of approximately 6.8 inches. They appear shiny silver grey, charcoal grey, or purple on top with a grey to brown belly. Juveniles have coloration similar to that of adults.

Their heads and tails are blunt and difficult to distinguish from one another, although the tail has a tiny pointed spur. Scales are tiny, smooth, and shiny all over their bodies, with 14 rows of scales along their bodies.

Brahminy Blind Snake

The tiny, thin Brahminy blindsnake can be colored purple.

Behavior

Brahminy blindsnakes do not bite if threatened by humans and will try to escape by burrowing into the soil. When captured, they sometimes release a foul-smelling musk from glands in their tails. You may only encounter them when digging in the soil or turning over rocks, and even then, you have little fear as they are not poisonous to humans or pets.

When caught, they may try to squirm vigorously or prick humans with their tails. These snakes do not have venom poisonous to humans, so their bite, although rare, is more of a nuisance than anything else.

The most effective way to get rid of them in your home is just to pick them up and take them outside. Because they are not insect pests, you should not treat them with insecticide on your lawn as their natural habitat is in soil. If blindsnakes are entering your home from outside, seal off any holes that may allow them to find their way inside.

Snakelets are independent at birth. They reproduce at a fast rate, and because they do not need males for reproduction, they can quickly become uncontrollable. Their exact lifespan is unknown.

Smallest Snakes: Brahminy Blind Snake

The Brahminy blindsnake may get into the home by crawling under doors or through cracks.

Habitat

In their natural habitat, Brahminy blindsnakes live in loose soil like earthworms do, as well as leaf litter, rotting logs, sawdust, and beneath surface debris and rocks in jungles and other areas with high humidity. Occasionally, you will find them in trees.

Because they like to hide in the pots of tropical plants, they have spread all over the world and have become abundant in many urban areas in tropical and semitropical climates.

These snakes love bathroom floors in urban areas because of high humidity, plus other areas of houses such as the spaces between walls and under the carpet or other flooring. The presence of these snakes inside your home when you have sealed entrances can indicate that you may have an ant or termite infestation. They are social animals with several individuals often hiding in the same area. Their exact lifespan is unknown.

These snakes are most likely originally indigenous to South Asia, but they also appear to have widespread populations in Africa. Their vertical distribution ranges from sea level to as high as 4,900 feet in Guatemala. Distribution in Africa includes the countries of Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Togo, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zanzibar, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Their native Asian habitat includes Lebanon, Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, Nepal, Pakistan, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Lakshadweep Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, the Malay Peninsula, the Nicobar Islands, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Kyuku Islands. They are also found in many of the maritime islands of Southeast Asia.

As an invasive species, these snakes have colonized various parts of the United States as part of the tropical plant trade. They are particularly prevalent in Florida, California, Georgia, Louisiana, California, Arizona, Connecticut, Texas, and Hawaii. Other places in the Americas where this snake has become invasive include Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Colombia, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Because of their invasive nature, Brahminy blindsnakes have been introduced in some countries to control the spread of termites. These include Australia, particularly on the Sunshine Coast, in Oceana on Palau, Fiji, Guam, Sipan, and Tahiti.

Other areas where this snake has been found include Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands and Malta.

Earthworm, Worm, Dirt, Garden, Mud

Earthworms are often confused with Brahminy blindsnakes due to both living in loose soil.

Diet

Brahminy blindsnakes are not hunters and primarily feed on the eggs, larvae, and pupae of ants and termites they encounter. They will also eat earthworms, caterpillars, crickets, and insect eggs as well as plant matter including mosses and fungi.

Termites

These snakes feed on termites.

Population and Conservation

Although these snakes are deemed the most populous in the world, their exact population is unknown and increasing. They appear not to have known predators or threats, as they are able to reproduce readily and do not need a partner.

Its IUCN conservation status is of Least Concern.

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About the Author

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.

Brahminy Blindsnake FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is the Brahminy blindsnake poisonous?

These snakes do not have venom poisonous to humans, so their bite, although rare, is more of a nuisance than anything else.

Are Brahminy blindsnakes good pets?

Although they are not interactive animals, they are docile, meaning you can keep them as pets. However, they may not be too interesting because of their burrowing habit. Their primary diet is termites, although pet owners can find other suitable food.

How do you get rid of Brahminy blindsnakes?

The most effective way to get rid of them in your home is just to pick them up and take them outside. Because they are not insect pests, you should not treat them with insecticide on your lawn as their natural habitat is in soil. If blindsnakes are entering your home from outside, seal off any holes that may allow them to find their way inside.

What do Brahminy blindsnakes eat?

They feed on the eggs, larvae, and pupae of ants and termites.

How do Brahminy blindsnakes hunt?

They are not hunters but rather simply eat the prey when they encounter them, as their diet consists mainly of eggs, larvae, and invertebrates.

Are Brahminy blindsnakes aggressive?

They are not aggressive and usually will not bite.

Where do Brahminy blindsnakes live?

They are fossorial animals, meaning they live in burrows underground whenever possible.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

  1. Florida Museum / Accessed May 1, 2022
  2. Wikipedia / Accessed May 1, 2022
  3. Florida Wish and Wildlife Conservation Commission / Accessed May 1, 2022
  4. California Herps / Accessed May 1, 2022
  5. Animalia / Accessed May 1, 2022
  6. iNaturalist / Accessed May 1, 2022
  7. EDD Maps / Accessed May 1, 2022
  8. Kidadl / Accessed May 1, 2022
  9. Life is Short, but Snakes are Long / Accessed May 1, 2022