A very small, thin snake with highly polished scales and averages around 15-20 cm in length. The thread snakes resemble worms and it can be difficult to distinguish the head from the tail. They are burrowing snakes with cylindrical bodies and minute eyes. They feed on invertebrates, especially termites and ants.
Full Name: Peters’ Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops scutifrons)
Other Names: Peters se erdslangetjie
Classification: HARMLESS
A very small, thin snake with highly polished scales and averages around 15-20 cm in length. The thread snakes resemble worms and it can be difficult to distinguish the head from the tail. They are burrowing snakes with cylindrical bodies and minute eyes. They feed on invertebrates, especially termites and ants.
The thread snakes spend most of their lives underground but may come to the surface after heavy rains. They are sometimes found under rocks and old logs or in termite mounds. The thread snakes are tricky to tell apart and multiple species may occur in an area. They can also be confused with the venomous stiletto snake. The Peter’s Thread Snake is harmless to humans.
