Leptotyphlops nigricans (Schlegel, 1839)

Dorsal and Ventral Coloration

Leptotyphlops nigricans is black or dark brown on both its dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) surfaces. Some individuals have scales with lighter edges.

General Body Form

It is a small, thin species of snake.

Adult Size

Adult Leptotyphlops nigricans can reach a snout-vent length (SVL) of 196 millimetres, which is 7.7 inches.

Midbody Scale Arrangement

Its body scales are arranged in 14 rows around the midsection of the body.

Snout and Supraocular Scale Features

The snout is rounded, and the supraocular scale is small.

Rostral Scale Characteristics

The rostral scale is as broad as, or slightly broader than, the nasal scale, and extends back to the anterior edge of the eye.

Nasal Scale Structure

The nasal scale is completely divided.

Ocular and Upper Labial Scales

The ocular scale borders the lip between two upper labial scales, and the anterior of these two upper labials is very small.

Lower Labial Scale Count

There are five lower labial scales.

Body and Tail Proportions

The body diameter is 40 to 53 times smaller than the snake's total length, and the tail length is 8 to 13 times smaller than the total length.

Geographic Distribution

This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.