Brahminy blind snakes eat ants and termites, mainly their eggs, larvae, and pupae. These tiny, worm-shaped snakes live underground in or near ant and termite nests, so they have a ready food supply. They are non-venomous and harmless to people and pets.
What they eat
- Ant eggs, larvae, and pupae: the soft young stages of ants are a main food.
- Termites and termite larvae: researchers in Japan found blindsnakes remove the head of termites before swallowing the rest, perhaps to avoid the defensive chemicals in the head.
- Other tiny soil invertebrates: small insects and larvae they meet underground.
Despite their worm-like look, they are true snakes and are not related to earthworms.
How they feed
Blind snakes follow the chemical trails left by ants and termites into the nest. Their scales and skin protect them from bites, and they feed on the brood in the colony. Their eyes are only dark spots that sense light, so they hunt by smell.
Where they live
Adults are small, usually about 2 to 4 inches long, occasionally up to 6 inches. They live in soil, under logs, stones, and leaf litter, in potted plants, and in gardens. The species is native to southern Asia and has been spread by the plant trade. In the United States it has been reported in states including Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, California, Arizona, and Hawaii. It reproduces without males, so a single snake can start a population.
Are they harmful?
No. They do not bite, have no venom, and eat only insects. They are sometimes found in potted plants brought indoors. They are not a pest, and they may even reduce ant and termite numbers slightly. If you find one, you can move it outside to a garden bed.
Can you keep one as a pet?
They are very small, hard to feed, and rarely kept. Without a steady supply of ant and termite brood, they will not survive. Leave wild ones in the soil.
Related guides
Bottom Line
Brahminy blind snakes are tiny, harmless ant and termite specialists. If you find one in a plant pot, move it to the garden and let it keep its nest-raiding job.
