Added 5 November 2023.
Until a few years ago this family consisted of Acutotyplops, Cyclotyphlops, Rhamphotyplops, Rhinotyplops, Typhlops and Xenotyplops. Reclassification has now substantially increased the number of genera, as can be seen below. As ever we are indebted to the Reptile Database for the latest classifications.
Boulenger gives the characteristics of the family as follows: no ectopterygoid (transpalatine); pterygoid not extending to quadrate or mandible ; no supratemporal; prefrontal forming a suture with nasal; coronoid present; vestiges of pelvis. Maxillary vertical, loosely attached, toothed; mandible edentulous; a single pelvic bone.
Other than the article linked to at the bottom of the page, I am not aware of anyone keeping these snakes in captivity, nor can I imagine there would be much of a market for them. Because of the perceived lack of interest in these species, this page will probably be updated more slowly than others on this site.
|
Genus |
Common Name |
Distribution |
No. of species |
Notes |
|
Acutotyphlops |
Sharp-Nosed Blind Snakes |
Solomon Islands, Bougainville and Bismarck Archipelago |
5 |
|
|
Afrotyphlops |
|
|
28 |
|
|
Amerotyphlops |
|
|
19 |
|
|
Anilios |
|
Australia |
48 |
|
|
Antillotyphlops |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Argyrophis |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Cubatyphlops |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Cyclotyphlops |
Blind Snakes |
Indonesia |
1 |
|
|
Grypotyphlops |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Indotyphlops |
|
|
22 |
|
|
Letheobia |
|
|
29 |
|
|
Madatyphlops |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Malatyphlops |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Ramphotyphlops |
Blind Snakes |
Asia and Australia |
22 |
A genus formerly of 60 species. |
|
Rhinotyphlops |
Beaked Blind Snakes |
?? |
7 |
A genus formerly of 31 species. |
|
Sundatyphlops |
Lesser Sunda Blindsnake |
|
1 |
|
|
Typhlops |
Worm Snakes |
Worldwide |
20 |
A genus formerly of 136 species. |
|
Xenotyphlops |
|
Madagascar |
1 |
|
|
Xerotyplops |
|
|
3 |
|
Reptiles Magazine article on one keeper's experience with keeping a blind snake.
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