Typhlopidae
Black-tailed Blind Snake
Anilios guentheri
A slender blind snake with a dark tail, recorded in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Non-venomous
Identification and appearance
A very slender blind snake recorded in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. A dark tail and rounded snout are reported, while its close external pattern is not a safe field-identification feature.
Other names
Günther’s Blind Snake, Top End Blind Snake
Typical length
AROD lists an average size of about 25 cm and a reported maximum of 40 cm.
Body build
slender
Head appearance
rounded snout
Key identification features
- Very slender blind-snake form
- Dark tail and rounded snout are reported
- Northern Territory and Western Australian range
Where it is found
Northern Territory and Western Australia
Reproduction
Egg-laying; AROD reports an average clutch size of three eggs.
Medical significance
Blind snakes are non-venomous. If the snake has not been reliably identified and a bite is suspected, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep your distance and leave the snake a clear route away. Do not handle it, chase it for a photograph or attempt to inspect its mouth. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets clear and contact a qualified local snake catcher.
Taxonomy notes
Anilios nigricaudus is treated as a junior synonym in the consulted taxon account.
Sources checked
Still not sure?
Compare this snake with more clues.
A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.