False Blind Snakes: Anomochilidae

Physical characteristics: The false blind snake has a tube-shaped body, a short head with small eyes and mouth, and a short tail. At first glance, it is difficult to tell which end is the head and which is the tail. It has small, oblong, whitish spots down its dark red to brown back. Adults range from 8 to 14 inches (20 to 36 centimeters) in length. The size range may change a bit once scientists study more false blind snakes.

Geographic range: False blind snakes live in the Malaysian Peninsula and Borneo.

Habitat: They probably live in loose soil or under leaves, but this is uncertain.

Diet: They probably eat invertebrates, which are insects, worms, and other animals without backbones.

Behavior and reproduction: False blind snakes are probably egg-layers, although this in uncertain. Their behavior and reproduction are unknown.

False blind snakes and people: People see this snake only very rarely and generally leave it alone.

Conservation status: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) considers the false blind snake to be Data Deficient, which means that scientists as yet have too little information to make a judgment about the threat of extinction. ∎

False blind snakes are found in Borneo, the Malaysian Peninsula, and Sumatra. (Illustration by Emily Damstra. Reproduced by permission.)