Threadsnake
Giant Blind Snake
HarmlessRena maxima
3 photographs of the Giant Blind Snake. (c) tezcatlx, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Giant Blind Snake (Rena maxima) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Threadsnake
- Family
- Leptotyphlopidae
- Size
- Tiny and worm-like, 6–12 in.
- Habitat
- Underground in sandy or loose soils.
- Behavior
- Burrowers that raid ant and termite nests; almost never seen.
- Identify
- Looks like a shiny earthworm with vestigial eyes.
About the Giant Blind Snake
The giant blind snake (Rena maxima) is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to Mexico.
Geographic range
R. maxima is found in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla.
Description
The largest recorded specimen of R. maxima is a female with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 33 cm (13 in) plus a tail 1.8 cm (0.71 in) long.
Reproduction
R. maxima is oviparous. Clutch size may be as large as seven eggs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Giant Blind Snake
- Is the Giant Blind Snake venomous?
- No. The Giant Blind Snake (Rena maxima) 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 Giant Blind Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Giant Blind Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Giant Blind Snake dangerous?
- The Giant Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Giant Blind Snake live?
- The Giant Blind Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Mexico, Ghana. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Giant Blind Snake?
- Looks like a shiny earthworm with vestigial eyes.
- How big does the Giant Blind Snake get?
- Tiny and worm-like, 6–12 in.
Where it is found
More Leptotyphlopidae snakes
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
- Leptotyphlopidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Rena
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Rena maxima
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.