Typhlopidae
Beaked Blind Snake
HarmlessGrypotyphlops acutus
6 photographs of the Beaked Blind Snake. © Siya ul haque.
The Beaked Blind Snake (Grypotyphlops acutus) is a non-venomous snake in the Typhlopidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Typhlopidae
About the Beaked Blind Snake
Grypotyphlops acutus, also known as the beaked worm snake, beaked blind snake, or beak-nosed worm snake, is a harmless blind snake species endemic to peninsular India. It is the only species in the genus Grypotyphlops. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Taxonomy
Grypotyphlops is thought to group with the African typhlopids in the genera Afrotyphlops, Letheobia, and Rhinotyphlops, being the sister group to the latter two and having dispersed from Africa to the Indian subcontinent during the Paleogene. This contrasts with the other blind snakes in the Indian subcontinent, which are thought to have either mainland Asian ancestry (Indotyphlops and Argyrophis) or be descended from ancient Gondwanan endemics of Insular India (Gerrhopilus).
Geographic range
This species is found throughout peninsular India south of the Ganges and Rajputana basins. The type locality given is "inconnue" (French for unknown).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Beaked Blind Snake
- Is the Beaked Blind Snake venomous?
- No. The Beaked Blind Snake (Grypotyphlops acutus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Beaked Blind Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Beaked Blind Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Beaked Blind Snake dangerous?
- The Beaked Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Beaked Blind Snake live?
- The Beaked Blind Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including India, French Guiana. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Typhlopidae snakes
Brahminy BlindsnakeIndotyphlops braminus
Eurasian Blind SnakeXerotyphlops vermicularis
Syrian Blind SnakeXerotyphlops syriacus
Bibron's Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops bibronii
Delalande's Beaked Blind SnakeRhinotyphlops lalandei
Blackish Blind SnakeAnilios nigrescens
Schlegel’s Beaked blind snakeAfrotyphlops schlegelii
Zambezi Blind SnakeAfrotyphlops dinga
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Typhlopidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Grypotyphlops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Grypotyphlops acutus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.