Texas blind snakes eat ants and termites, especially their eggs, larvae and pupae. These tiny, worm-like burrowing snakes live underground and are harmless to people and pets.
What They Eat
The Texas blind snake (Rena dulcis) is a thread-like snake, usually under a foot long, that follows the scent trails of ants and termites into their nests. Inside, it feeds on the soft young stages of the colony and the adults. Some sources note it also takes other small soft-bodied insects, but ants and termites are its main food.
How They Hunt
- They find colonies by following chemical trails left by the insects.
- A protective coating on the snake helps it avoid attack inside the nest.
- They eat tiny prey, swallowing it quickly, and can consume many larvae in one session.
Habitat and Behavior
Texas blind snakes live in the south-central United States and northern Mexico. They spend most of their time under rocks, logs, leaf litter or in loose soil, and often appear after heavy rain or when soil is dug up. Females lay a small clutch of eggs, typically a few at a time.
Are They Dangerous?
No. They are non-venomous, have tiny mouths, and cannot hurt people or pets. They are mistaken for earthworms because of their size and shape. Releasing one back into soil is the best choice.
Keeping Them as Pets
Blind snakes are very hard to keep in captivity because they need a constant supply of ant and termite larvae. They are best left in the wild. For a related species, see what brahminy blind snakes eat.
Bottom Line
Texas blind snakes eat ants, termites and their young. They are harmless, helpful, and best left undisturbed.
