Snakes are tiny like worms, the whole species is only female, there are no males

Worm snakes (scientific name Typhlopidae) are a species of the Blind Snake family with a tiny size, only 20cm long.

The name of this snake comes from its earthworm-like appearance. They are often mistaken for worms.

The characteristic that distinguishes snake worms from earthworms is that they are shiny black. If looked at under light, their skin will be shiny, scaly and unsegmented. In particular, the tongue of the worm snake is also the characteristic forked tongue of snakes.

Worm snakes live in places with a lot of rotten wood and wet ground, near ant nests, termite nests, and places with temperate climates.

People often say that worm snakes are extremely poisonous, and if they are bitten, they will surely die. But in reality, the worm snake's mouth is too small and has no fangs and no venom, so it cannot bite humans. They do not need to hunt, the main food of worm snakes is ant eggs and termite eggs.

The eyesight of worm snakes is completely impaired because they live constantly underground. Snakes and worms cannot see and so they mainly use their tongues to navigate, 'taste' the air and assess humidity, vibrations in the air, the smell of other creatures and where food leads.

Worm snakes are parthenogenetic species. All worm snakes discovered in the wild are female snakes, there are no males.

Worm snakes dig the soil to make the soil looser, more nutritious and aerated, beneficial for plants, so they are useful animals for humans.

Lesley Montoya

Update 14 April 2024