Anilios bituberculatus (Peters, 1863)

Common Name & General Form

Anilios bituberculatus is a small, thin snake with shiny scales.

Size

Its average total length is around 30 cm, reaching a maximum of 45 cm.

Coloration

The dorsal side is brown to black, while the ventral side is creamy white to pinkish white.

Body Shape

Its body maintains a uniform thickness along its length, ending in a very short, conical spine.

Scale Count

This species has 20 mid-body dorsal scale rows, 414 to 485 ventral scales, and 11 to 18 sub-caudal scales.

Nasal Structure

Its nasal cleft is not visible from above; it does not divide the nasal openings and connects to the second labial scale below.

Eye Appearance

The eyes appear as small dark dots positioned under the head scales.

Mouth Structure

The small, curved mouth sits behind and below the snout tip, similar to the mouth of a shark.

Snout Morphology

When viewed from above, the snout has three lobes and an angular profile.

Distribution Documentation Status

Due to this species' cryptic behavior, its full geographic distribution is not yet completely documented.

Habitat Adaptation

It is adapted to arid conditions and occurs across a variety of habitats ranging from coastal areas to drier regions of southern Australia, extending from inland New South Wales to Western Australia.

Recorded Range

It has been recorded in the Australian states and territories of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Microhabitat

Like other blind snakes, Anilios bituberculatus is most commonly discovered when dug up from termite or ant nests.

Locomotion

It travels underground through tunnels built by these insects.

Surface Activity

Individuals may also be seen moving across the ground surface at night, particularly after rain and/or during warm weather.

Defensive Behavior

When disturbed, this snake can emit a strong, foul odor from its well-developed anal glands.

Reproductive Mode

Anilios bituberculatus, also called the prong-snouted blind snake, is oviparous.

Clutch Details

Female snakes produce clutches ranging from two to nine eggs, with an average clutch size of six eggs.

Hatchling Traits

Newly hatched young are independent and fend for themselves.

Male Reproductive Anatomy

Males possess solid eversible awned hemipenes that can retract into the tail in a helical pattern, as well as retrocloacal sacs.