Facts about India's tiniest snake
Dive into the world of India’s smallest snake, a creature often overlooked due to its size. Here are ten intriguing facts about this tiny reptile, shedding light on its unique existence.
Measuring just 10 centimetres on average, India’s tiniest snake, the Brahminy Blind Snake, is often mistaken for an earthworm. Its small size helps it navigate through soil with ease.
The Brahminy Blind Snake typically has a shiny, dark brown or black colour, which helps it blend into the soil and leaf litter, providing excellent camouflage against predators.
This tiny snake is commonly found in loose, moist soil, often in gardens, flowerpots, or under logs. It prefers warm, humid environments and is widespread across tropical regions.
Feeding primarily on ants, termites, and their larvae, the Brahminy Blind Snake plays a vital role in controlling pest populations, contributing to the balance of its ecosystem.
Despite being called "blind," the Brahminy Blind Snake has tiny eyes beneath its scales. These eyes are vestigial and can only sense light and dark, not detailed images.
The Brahminy Blind Snake is parthenogenetic, meaning it reproduces without a mate. All individuals are female, and they can lay eggs that hatch into clones of the mother.