2/27/2023 0 Comments Are snakes blind![]() ![]() ![]() The Woodland Blind Snake has the capacity (like other Blind snakes) to deter predation by emitting an unpleasant odour from anal glands (Wilson & Knowles 1988), this offers only limited protection from burrowing elapids like the genus Vermicella (Bandy Bandy) that predate exclusively on blind snakes. The Woodland Blind Snake lays a number of eggs in the soil, with reports varying from as many as 13 to 35 eggs. According to (Wilson and Swan 2003) in the IUCN Red List assessment, the Woodland Blind Snake feeds solely on the eggs, larvae and pupae of Bulldog Ants, Myrmecia spp. It feeds entirely on termites and the eggs, larvae and pupae of ants (Wilson & Knowles 1988) as well as small insects (Kinghorn 1929). The Woodland Blind Snake shelters within the leaf litter, burrowing in the earth into ant and termite nest corridors and chambers, or using rocks and debris for refuge (Stothers et al. In Victoria they have been found in Black Box, Grey Box and Red Gum woodlands and also within areas of intact roadside and streamside vegetation (Driscoll 2004 Brown et al. Typical habitat includes a good cover of leaf litter, old large trees and fallen logs. The Woodland Blind Snake is mainly confined to intact forested areas which have not been subject to cultivation. Key Local Government Areas for Woodland Blind Snake All known records of Woodland Blind Snake in Victoria. Records in the Stawell and Grampians area date back to the late 1960’s early 70’s which could mean they are no longer present in this part of the state. Box – Ironbark forest areas around Dunolly, Inglewood and Bendigo are important but have unfortunately become fragmented which restricts populations to isolated areas. In Victoria, the Woodland Blind Snake is only found north of the Great Dividing Range with concentrations in the Goldfields and Riverina bioregions. Wilson & Knowles (1988) states the identification of Blind Snakes is difficult in the field and microscopic examination is required. There are 20 mid body scales around the body (Kinghorn 19). The nasal cleft is visible from above extending to the first labial. The snout is bluntly tri-lobed from above and angular in profile, but not hooked. It has a dark brown, shiny appearance with no discernible head and extremely small eyes which are covered by a scale. The Woodland Blind Snake has an average length of about 50 cm but can be up to 75 cm (Gow 1989). ![]() The Woodland Blind Snake is found in eastern Australia and extends from northern Queensland through the most of New South Wales into northern Victoria and eastern South Australia. It is currently refered to as Proximus Blind Snake Anilios proximus (AFD 2017). Also referred to as Austrotyphlops proximus (Maryan 2010) and Ramphotyphlops proximus. The Woodland Blind Snake was first recorded by E.R. It is seldom observed with sightings usually being made after heavy rainfall or on warm damp nights. It is non venomous, has microscopic teeth and considered harmless to humans. It is one of about 30 species of blind or worm snakes found in Australia. The Woodland Blind Snake ( Ramphotyphlops proximus) is a predominately nocturnal, burrowing snake which spends most of its life under deep leaf litter or underground. Image: Peter Robertson - Wildlife Profiles. ![]()
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