Diard's Blind Snake
Argyrophis diardii
One of the larger blind snakes in Asia, a stout burrowing species found in forest soils and leaf litter.
- Venomous?
- Harmless
- Adult length
- 30-45 cm (12-18 in)
- Range
- South and Southeast Asia
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Overview
Diard's Blind Snake is a relatively large member of the blind snake family, notably bigger than most other typhlopids, found across South and Southeast Asia. It spends its life underground and is rarely observed except when unearthed by digging or heavy rain.
Although sizeable for a blind snake, it remains harmless to humans and is of interest mainly to naturalists and herpetologists studying fossorial reptile communities.
How to identify it
- Stout, cylindrical body, larger and thicker than most blind snakes
- Dark brown to purplish-black dorsal coloration, often paler below
- Smooth, glossy scales without keels
- Blunt head and tail, minute vestigial eyes
- Adult length commonly up to about 45 cm (18 in), unusually large for the family
Habitat & range
Inhabits moist forest soils, leaf litter, and loose earth in lowland and hill forests across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. Rarely surfaces except after heavy rainfall.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and nocturnal, spending most of its life underground. Feeds on ants, termites, and their larvae. Reproduction is oviparous, with clutches of elongated eggs laid in moist soil or decaying wood.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diard's Blind Snake venomous?
No, it is harmless to humans.
How big does it get?
It can reach up to about 45 cm (18 in), large for a blind snake.
Where is it found?
It occurs in forested soils across South and Southeast Asia.
What does it eat?
It preys on ants, termites, and their larvae.
Diard's Blind Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Diard's Blind Snake.
