Fun Western Threadsnake Facts For Kids

The western threadsnake (Rena humilis), also known as slender blind threadsnakes and western blind snakes, belong to the family Leptotyphlopidae. They are burrowers in nature and spend their days squirming through soft soil. Slender blind snakes dwell in deserts and scrub where the soil is loose enough to burrow. They are also seen under objects such as rocks, logs, and under roots, shrubs, and granite flakes. Rena Humilis, western threadsnake, is endemic to southwestern California and northern Mexico.

Their description is of being small, grayish, and as thin as a worm. The western blind snake can also be recognized under low-frequency ultraviolet lights. Since they live underground, sometimes as deep as 60 ft (18 m), their eyes are useless and vestigial in nature. Due to the western threadsnake diet, it is known to occupy the nests of ants and termites. It also sometimes feeds on insect larvae and arthropods such as millipedes and centipedes.

There are two subspecies of western threadsnake (Rena humilis) in California. There is also a very similar non-native blind snake that has been discovered in southern California and is gradually increasing its range in the state known as the Brahminy blind snake.

Read on to know everything from habitat, range to description and feeding habits of the western thread snake. If you liked this article please visit anaconda snake and cobra.

What type of animal is a western threadsnake?

Western threadsnake (Rena humilis) is a range of small snake belonging to the family Leptotyphlopidae. They are small and non-venomous in nature. The western threadsnake in Oregon, southern Nevada, Rio Grand region (Texas), south California, and north-central Mexico are native on the world map.

What class of animal does a western threadsnake belong to?

The western threadsnake (Rena humilis) belongs to the range of Reptilia class of the Animalia Kingdom.

How many western threadsnakes are there in the world?

There is no data to determine the exact number of western threadsnakes to exist on the planet. Although they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and their population is quite adequate, they are not threatened on the planet or are under conservation.

Where does a western threadsnake live?

In terms of the western threadsnake (Rena humilis) distribution, these reptiles which occupy the nests of ants and termites, are native to southern Nevada, southern California, southern Arizona, east to the Rio Grand region (Texas) and south to northern Mexico. The western threadsnake map includes ranges of these snakes that sustain altitudes from below sea level to around 5,000 ft (1500 m).

What is a western threadsnake's habitat?

Endemic to southwestern California, Rio Grand region (Texas) and north Mexico, the habitat of western threadsnakes consists of rocky crevices and moist, loose soil. The habitat also has a range from deserted grasslands, canyon bottoms, or the sandy washes that are covered with brushed hillsides with soil suitable for burrowing and other regions in Mexico and other recognized areas. They are found from below sea level and this ranges to 5000 ft (1500 m).

Who do western threadsnakes live with?

There is no known recognized evidence or history to show if the western threadsnake lives within groups of its own species or with other worms. They are assumed to live alone, buried away under rocky crevices, moist soil, partially desert hillsides, and other underground spaces. These snakes can also survive with humans when kept as a pet and in a safe atmosphere.

How long does a western threadsnake live?

The exact life expectancy of these small burrowers is not yet evaluated. More studies are required to estimate their life expectancy.

How do they reproduce?

The reproduction or mating process of this secretive, nocturnal species tends to be active during the spring. In late summer, the females tend to lay up to 2-7 which are lean, and tiny eggs. They lay these eggs in protected underground areas or nurseries. The eggs are then laid in the nest, sometimes communally. The eggs of these snakes are prepared up to a suitable period of time until the hatchlings are born from these eggs which are around 3.5 in (8.9 cm) in length.

What is their conservation status?

They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species and the population of these snakes is quite stable and they are abundantly present on the planet.

What do western threadsnakes look like?

The western threadsnake (Rena humilis) also known as blind snake, slender blind snake, worm snake, western blind snake, and Leptotyphlops humilis, is a small, gray-colored snake that resembles a worm. It has a blunt and thick head which helps when burrowing as well as a blunt tail, no neck, and it possesses tiny eyes which are vestigial.

A tiny spine is present at the tail tip which is suitable for leverage. It has hard, shiny, and cycloid scales present all over its body. The scales present on the underside are lighter in color than the ones present on the back. The ventral scales are not enlarged. Since this snake has no use of eyesight, its eyes are vestigial and appear as spots under the head scales. The teeth of the western blind snake are absent from the upper jaw.

This is quite a small snake whose thickness can be equal to the thickness of a small nail or an earthworm and it reaches a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in). These blind snakes possess colors like pink, purplish, pale brown, and beige and also have a silver sheen present. The eyes are vestigial and non-functioning and appear as spots on the head below the scales.

How cute are they?

The species of western threadsnake (Rena humilis) or these blind snakes can be extremely cute due to their small size and shy nature. They are little worm-like creatures that fit all the criteria of being adorable.

How do they communicate?

The (Rena humilis) western threadsnake senses and carries out communication by collecting, leaving, or analyzing pheromones like other reptiles and amphibians.

How big is a western threadsnake?

The length of a western threadsnake (Rena humilis) or slender blind snake species ranges from 7-16 in (17.7 - 40.6 cm). The range is almost three times bigger than the largest caterpillar on earth, the Hickory horned devil.

How fast can a western threadsnake move?

The exact speed of the species of western thread snakes is not known in natural history. They are assumed to be fast as they crawl and burrow for their movements. They act as prey for many animals including a few mammals, other bigger snakes, birds, fishes, and even spiders, and they need to be swift in order to escape these species.

How much does a western threadsnake weigh?

The western threadsnake weighs around 0.05 oz (1.4 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

No specific names are known of the males and females of the Rena humilis species of blind snakes. They are known as males and females respectively. Distinguishing between the two can be done by observing western threadsnake sexual maturity and activities.

What would you call a baby western threadsnake?

A baby Rena humilis western threadsnake is called a hatchling. It is also referred to as a snakelet.

What do they eat?

The diet of western threadsnakes consists of ants and termites along with their eggs, pupae, and larvae, just like their subspecies desert threadsnake. These slender blind snakes also feed on arthropods like centipedes or millipedes.

Are they poisonous?

No, western threadsnakes are non-venomous in nature and harmless to bigger animals or humans. The western threadsnake bite is harmless and non-poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

Since this species of family Leptotyphlopidae is a very small and fragile species, taking care of the western threadsnake is a huge task. The environment and living conditions should be well suited in order to let them survive. However, these slender blind snakes are little and non-venomous which makes it a good idea for snake lovers to adopt them as pets given they put extra effort into keeping them safe.

Did you know...

When they search for food, like ants, and pupae, western blind snakes tend to hunt until they find an ant pheromone trail, and then they follow it back to their nest and tend to consume the animal that is residing in it.

Even if an ant or any insect tries to bite or sting the snake, there are smooth and tightly overlapping scales that on its body that provide protection to the Humilis western threadsnake/blind snake.

How does a western threadsnake adapt to its environment?

The Leptotyphlops humilis is a burrower in nature, this is due to the fact that this extremely thin snake has a higher ratio of surface area to volume when compared to, say, a larger animal like a polar bear, which has a lower ratio with its bulky body. It's more susceptible to losing moisture and drying out. By kicking back and burrowing in the wet dirt, the worm snake is able to avoid desiccation (the process of drying out.)

How did western threadsnakes get their name?

The common name 'threadsnake' of the snakes of the family Leptotyphlopidae was given to these snakes because of their eyes that reduce and become almost useless and are then hidden behind a protective head scale. The Rena humilis, western threadsnake, species are named this because of their very narrow, long bodies, resembling a thread.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles including taipan facts, or scarlet snake fun facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable western threadsnake coloring pages.