Xerotyphlops vermicularis

Classification and Common Names

Xerotyphlops vermicularis, also known as the European blind snake, European worm snake, Eurasian blind snake, or Eurasian worm snake, is a species of snake in the genus Xerotyphlops.

Distribution

The range of this species extends from the Balkan Peninsula, including Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, to southern Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, southern Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. Its presence in Egypt is also confirmed, while its occurrence in Pakistan is uncertain.

Habitat

Xerotyphlops vermicularis inhabits hills and low-lying areas with dry slopes occupied by bushes and rocks, as well as Mediterranean and rural agricultural regions, and not too dry steppes. It can be found from sea level to 1600 m altitude, with occasional sightings up to 2169 m.

Description

The species gets its name "vermicularis" from the Latin word for "small, long, and thin", which describes its slender body. Adults typically measure between 20-35 cm in length, with a diameter of approximately 1-2 cm.

Diet

Xerotyphlops vermicularis primarily feeds on ants, as well as other small invertebrates.

Appearance and Behavior

In appearance and behavior, this species resembles a rain worm, leading to its common name "snake worm" in some regions.