Snake Tales: The Worm Snake
The Worm Snake is not venomous and too small to actually bite.
WORM Snakes (Leptotyphlops species) are peculiar little snakes often seen in homes.
What does it look like?
Just how its name suggests – exactly like a worm. Worm Snakes, also known as Thread Snakes, are a tiny species of snakes that people usually confuse for worms- understandably so. Averaging at about 15cm in length, these are thin snakes, black in colour, with a smooth and shiny appearance. Worm Snakes are blind, their reduced eyes appear as black spots on the head, lying beneath the skin.
Are they venomous?
No, not at all. Even if they were, they’re far too small to actually bite us.
What do they eat?
Tiny invertebrates, especially termites.
Where do they spend most of their time?
Underground, although they are often seen on the surface, particularly after rains. They are also frequently seen inside homes. How do they get in there, I’m not sure. They’re often seen wriggling around on the ground, struggling to move on smooth surfaces. If there is one in your house, kindly sweep it out into the garden gently with a broom.
Are there similar species to the Worm Snake?
There are several species of Worm Snakes which all look much the same. Differentiating them is difficult.
Apart from actual worms, there is only one snake that could be confused for a Worm Snake, and that is the Flowerpot Snake. The Flowerpot Snake is South Africa’s only introduced snake species (excluding the occasional exotic escapee), originating from Australia. It has been accidentally introduced in various different countries across the world, through the transportation of pot plants. It is more of a brown colour, as opposed to the shiny black Worm Snake. The Worm Snake is seen far more often than the Flowerpot Snake.
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