How to Identify Diard's Blind Snake (Identification Guide)

Key identifying features

Diard's blind snake (Argyrophis diardii) is identified by its relatively large size compared to most blind snakes, a glossy, uniformly dark brown to purplish-black body, and a small, blunt head with vestigial eyes typical of burrowing blind snakes.

Coloration & pattern

The body is typically a dark brown, purplish-brown, or blackish color with a glossy sheen, generally uniform along its length without bold markings, though the belly may appear slightly paler or more pinkish than the back in some individuals.

Head, eyes & scales

The head is small, rounded, and blunt, not much wider than the neck, with tiny vestigial eyes appearing as faint dark dots beneath translucent scales. Body scales are smooth and glossy, arranged in even rows that give the snake a polished, worm-like appearance.

Size & body shape

Diard's blind snake is notably larger than many other blind snakes, with some individuals reaching up to about 40 to 70 cm (roughly 16 to 28 inches), though it retains the characteristic cylindrical, nearly uniform-diameter body shape of the group, with a short, blunt tail.

Range & habitat where you'll see it

This species is found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India and Southeast Asian countries, typically living underground in loose soil, leaf litter, or beneath logs and rocks in forested and disturbed habitats.

How to tell it apart from look-alikes

Diard's blind snake can be distinguished from most other blind snakes mainly by its notably larger size, since many related species are considerably smaller. It is distinguished from earthworms by its scaled skin and small head with vestigial eyes.