Tiny fossorial snake that looks more like a shiny earthworm than a snake. About 6 inches long; eats ant larvae and termites.

Native status: Native to southwestern US

§ Quick facts

SizeTotal length 14–22 cm
Weight2–5 g
LifespanWild 8–15 years
OrderSquamata
FamilyLeptotyphlopidae

§ Encyclopedia

Rena dulcis, also known commonly as the Texas blind snake, the Texas slender blind snake, or the Texas threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to the Southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Source: Wikipedia — Rena dulcis Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tiny pinkish-brown snake; pencil-like body; vestigial eyes; smooth shiny scales.

Similar species. Other threadsnakes. Earthworms (no scales; segmented).

Voice. N/A.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Ant larvae, termites, small soft-bodied arthropods.

Behavior. Tiny worm-like fossorial snake. Lives almost entirely underground in soft soils.

§ Range

Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, NM

§ Habitat

Sandy soils, leaf litter, under rocks

§ Threats

Habitat loss, pesticide-driven prey decline.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the texas threadsnake is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain native soils. Skip pesticides.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife
  • Davidson College Department of Biology
  • IUCN Red List 2007