Leptotyphlops nigricans
Leptotyphlops nigricans, also known as the black threadsnake or black worm snake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae.[3][4] It is endemic to Africa.
| Leptotyphlops nigricans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Leptotyphlopidae |
| Genus: | Leptotyphlops |
| Species: | L. nigricans |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptotyphlops nigricans (Schlegel, 1839) | |
| Synonyms | |
Geographic range
This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.[5]
Description
Leptotyphlops nigricans is black or dark brown, both dorsally and ventrally. In some specimens the scales are lighter-edged.
It is a small and thin species of snake. Adults may attain a snout-vent length (SVL) of 196 millimetres (7.7 in).[6]
The scales are arranged in 14 rows around the body at midbody.
Snout rounded. Supraocular small. Rostral as broad or slightly broader than the nasal, extending as far as the anterior border edge of the eye. Nasal completely divided. Ocular bordering the lip between two upper labials, the anterior of which is very small. Five lower labials. Diameter of the body 40 to 53 times in the total length. Length of tail 8 to 13 times in the total length.[7]
References
- Alexander, G.J. 2017. Leptotyphlops nigricans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T44979834A110326233. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T44979834A110326233.en. Downloaded on 29 July 2018.
- The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- "Leptotyphlops". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/44979834/115671282
- Branch, Bill. 2004. Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Ralph Curtis Books. Sanibel Island, Florida. 399 pp. (Leptotyphlops nigricans, p. 56.)
- Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families Typhlopidæ, Glauconiidæ,... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiii + 440 pp. + XXVIII Plates. (Glauconia nigricans, p. 67.)
Further reading
- Schlegel, H. 1839. Abbildungen neuer oder unvollständig bekannter Amphibien, herausgeben und mit einem erläuternden Texte begleitet. Arnz & Co. Düsseldorf. xiv + 141 pp. (Typhlops nigricans, p. 38.)