Description

Extremely long; unpigmented; head slightly flattened.1 - Aplin, KP (1998). Three new blindsnakes (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from northwestern Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, 19:1-12.

Similar species

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Aplin in 1998.1 - Aplin, KP (1998). Three new blindsnakes (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from northwestern Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, 19:1-12.

Scale count information

Dorsal scales at midbody		16
Ventrals		732 to 76
Subcaudals		15 to 15
Other scale information
Danger rating		Harmless but smelly. Note: even a bite from a 'virtually harmless' or non-venomous reptile can result in serious complications. Play it safe and don't get bitten by anything.

Range

Known only from Barrow Island, off the coast of Western Australia.

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Western Australia

Habitat

Possibly one of the few truly subterranean snakes in Australia. See Natural History section for details.

Natural history

The holotype was attached to the outer surface of a well-casing that was pulled from considerable depth during a drilling operation on Barrow Island.1 - Aplin, KP (1998). Three new blindsnakes (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from northwestern Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, 19:1-12.

Diet

Unknown.

Conservation status

WA: specially protected (P2)

Conservation notes

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Aplin, KP (1998). Three new blindsnakes (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from northwestern Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, 19:1-12.

 

Additional links

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Ramphotyphlops longissimus
• Extremely long blind snake at The TIGR Reptile Database