This is one of Africa’s largest Blind snakes averaging 60cm but may reach a length of 80 cm. It spends most of its life underground where it feeds on termites and their larvae but often emerges after heavy rain. Otherwise, it may be found under logs or rocks or may be exposed during earth moving operations.
Full Name: Schlegel’s Blind Snake (Afrotyphlops schlegelii)
Other Names: Schlegel se Blindeslang
Previously known as: Schlegel’s Beaked Blind Snake
Classification: HARMLESS
This is one of Africa’s largest Blind snakes averaging 60cm but may reach a length of 80 cm. It spends most of its life underground where it feeds on termites and their larvae but often emerges after heavy rain. Otherwise, it may be found under logs or rocks or may be exposed during earth moving operations.
Large individuals often store fat in the back half of the body and are obese. They are completely harmless and are close to blind with scales covering the eyes. When handled they often dig the sharp tip on their tail into one’s hand. Blind snakes are preyed upon by a variety of carnivores, predatory birds and snakes.
