ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Xerotyphlops vermicularis: The European Blind Snake

Xerotyphlops vermicularis, commonly known as the European blind snake or Eurasian worm snake, is a species of snake found in the genus Typhlopidae. Native to Southwestern Asia and the Balkans, this species resembles a rainworm in appearance and underground lifestyle.

The distribution of X. vermicularis spans across various regions, including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Pakistan (with uncertain presence), Romania, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Its range extends from the Aegean Islands to Afghanistan, making it a unique species in Europe.

This snake prefers dry areas with grassy vegetation and rare bushes, often inhabiting hills and low-lying areas on slopes occupied by rocks and sparse grassy vegetation. It can also be found in Mediterranean and rural agricultural areas as well as not too dry steppes, ranging from sea level to 1600 meters altitude.

X. vermicularis is characterized by its small size, typically measuring between 35 cm in length, with a diameter of approximately 1-2 mm. Its body resembles that of an earthworm, featuring a blunt head without separation from the body and tiny eyes on the upper face of the head. The snake's coloration ranges from brownish to pink or reddish flesh, with a lighter belly allowing for visibility of internal organs.

The European blind snake is primarily an ant-eater, consuming ants, their eggs, larvae, and nymphs, as well as other small insects, myriapods, and small worms. It lays 2-6 elongated eggs that hatch at the end of September. The species' unique morphology features a thorn-shaped caudal scale on its tail, which serves as support during locomotion.

X. vermicularis is an underground-dwelling snake, often discovered by turning stones or observing it in spring under rocks. It appears on the surface only rarely and at dusk or night, making it a rare sight for observers. Its lifestyle involves living in a system of underground galleries, allowing it to thrive in its dry environments.

The name "vermicularis" originates from the Latin word "verteau," meaning small long and thin snake, which accurately describes this species' slender