Herpetology/Snakes

Typhlopidae
Typhlopidae is a family of blind snake. They are usually small (although some can get up to 0.9 meters). Description: smooth and shiny, head, body, tail usually the same diameter. Scales overlap a lot, but most other snake scales do not overlap as much. This overlapping system gives the snake protection. The head of Typhlopidae are short with small eyes that are covered by a clear scale. These are used for sensing light more than actual seeing The mouth opens on the underside of the snake instead of the front of the snake. The snout can be round, plat, pointy, hooked, etc. Some can have a bit of flesh sticking out of the snout, used to feel the way in the dark. A rostros scale hangs over the mouth to make a shovel that the snake uses for digging underground. Life cycle: Most Typhlopidae lay eggs (oviparous), but some eggs can hatch inside the mother (ovoviviparous). Habitat: These snakes live underground in Africa, Asia, the America, Australia, and other islands. Diet: termites, ants, worms, other small invertebrates Etymology: Greek, typhlo=blind-eyed Other: 10 genera, over 200 species