Typhlopidae
Mornington Blind Snake
Anilios vagurima
A little-known, non-venomous blind snake described from Mornington Sanctuary in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
Non-venomous
Identification and appearance
The described specimen is slender, with smooth scales, tiny inconspicuous eyes and a rounded snout. Its preserved upper body is light brown with a paler underside; live colour was not documented. Similar blind snakes require specialist identification.
Typical length
The adult male holotype measured 32.45 cm snout–vent length, with a 0.44 cm tail. These are specimen measurements, not a typical adult range or species maximum.
Body build
slender
Head appearance
rounded snout
Key identification features
- Slender body and very short tail
- Tiny eyes beneath head scales
- Documented at Mornington Sanctuary, WA
Where it is found
The 2019 description documents Mornington Sanctuary in the Kimberley, Western Australia. The wider range remains poorly known.
Habitat
The type specimen was collected from open savanna woodland at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary in the east Kimberley, on compacted red-brown clay-loam.
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; the original description uses detailed scale characters to separate this species.
Taxonomy notes
Described as Anilios vagurima by Ellis in 2019.
Sources checked
- Ellis (2019) — original species description (2026-09-26)
- WA Museum — May 2023 checklist changes (2026-09-26)
- NSW Government — snakes, including non-venomous blind snakes (2026-09-26)
- Original species description and habitat account (2026-09-26)
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.