Typhlopidae
Centralian Blind Snake
Anilios centralis
A slender blind snake described from the Alice Springs area in Central Australia.
Non-venomous
Identification and appearance
A slender blind snake with a short snout bearing a pronounced front edge. The described museum specimens have darker upperparts and a paler underside.
Typical length
Storr reported total lengths of 16.5–30.6 cm in six specimens. This is a sample range, not an established adult range or species maximum.
Body build
slender
Key identification features
- Slender build
- Short snout with a pronounced front edge
Where it is found
Alice Springs and nearby localities in the Northern Territory, including the Alice Springs district and Pine Gap.
Medical significance
Blind snakes are non-venomous. Identification from appearance alone remains uncertain; do not handle an unfamiliar snake.
What to do if you encounter one
Leave it undisturbed and keep people and pets away. Do not pick it up to inspect its scales or head.
Similar-looking snakes
Similar blind snakes require specialist identification.
Taxonomy notes
Storr described the taxon as Ramphotyphlops centralis in 1984 from six specimens; current sources place it in Anilios.
Sources checked
- Storr 1984 original description, Western Australian Museum (2026-09-26)
- Reptile Database current taxonomy (2026-09-26)
- AROD species account (2026-09-26)
- Fauna of Australia Typhlopidae treatment (2026-09-26)
- NSW Government — Non-venomous blind snakes (2026-09-26)
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.