Typhlopidae
Cooloola Blind Snake
Anilios silvia
Cooloola Blind Snake is recorded in south-east Queensland, including Cooloola National Park and K’gari (Fraser Island) records. It is a small striped or black-and-white blind snake.
Non-venomous
Identification and appearance
A small blind snake described as striped or black and white. Its documented localities include Cooloola and K’gari (Fraser Island) in south-east Queensland.
Other names
Silvia’s Blind Snake, Striped Blind Snake
Typical length
AROD gives an average of about 17.5 cm. Shea (2015), using the spelling Anilios sylvia, cites a maximum total length of 175 mm (17.5 cm). The basis of those measurements remains unclear; a typical adult size range is not established.
Key identification features
- Black-and-white or striped pattern
- Cooloola and K’gari (Fraser Island) records
Where it is found
South-east Queensland, including Cooloola National Park and K’gari (Fraser Island) records.
Reproduction
Egg-laying.
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 well clear, leave a route for the snake to move away and do not approach for a closer look. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets away and contact a qualified local snake catcher.
Taxonomy notes
The Reptile Database diagnosis gives a maximum value without a unit, while AROD reports a 17.5 cm species average. The unqualified maximum is retained as an evidence conflict but no numeric maximum is entered.
Sources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Anilios silvia (2026-09-25)
- The Reptile Database — Anilios silvia (2026-09-25)
- Queensland Government — Blind snakes (2026-09-25)
- Shea (2015) — Anilios taxonomic review and published size comparisons, p. 111 (2026-09-26)
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.