Threadsnake
Southern Blind Snake
HarmlessRena unguirostris
The Southern Blind Snake (Rena unguirostris) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 3 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 Southern Blind Snake
The southern blind snake (Rena unguirostris) is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Geographic range
R. unguirostris is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
Reproduction
R. unguirostris is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Southern Blind Snake
- Is the Southern Blind Snake venomous?
- No. The Southern Blind Snake (Rena unguirostris) 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 Southern Blind Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Southern Blind Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Southern Blind Snake dangerous?
- The Southern Blind Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Southern Blind Snake live?
- The Southern Blind Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia (Plurinational State of). See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Southern Blind Snake?
- Looks like a shiny earthworm with vestigial eyes.
- How big does the Southern 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 unguirostris
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.