Liotyphlops ternetzii

Liotyphlops ternetzii, also known commonly as Ternetz's blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Anomalepididae.^[1][2][3] The species is endemic to South America.^[1][2]

Liotyphlops ternetzii
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Anomalepididae
Genus:	Liotyphlops
Species:	L. ternetzii
Binomial name
Liotyphlops ternetzii (Boulenger, 1896)
Synonyms[2]
Helminthophis ternetzii Boulenger, 1896 Helminthophis incertus Amaral, 1924 Helminthophis beui Amaral, 1924 Helminthophis collenettei Parker, 1928 Liotyphlops incertus – Vanzolini, 1948 Liotyphlops ternetzi [sic] – H.M. Smith & Grant, 1958 Liotyphlops ternetzii — J. Peters & Orejas-Miranda, 1970 Liotyphlops ternetzii – Dixon & Kofron, 1983

Etymology

The specific name, ternetzii, is in honor of ichthyologist Carl Ternetz (born 1870).^[4]

Geographic range

L. ternetzii is found in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.^[1][2] The record from Suriname (as Liotyphlops incertus) is questionable.^[2]

Habitat and ecology

The natural habitats of L. ternetzii are grassland, savanna, and gallery forest, at altitudes of 200–1,000 m (660–3,280 ft). It is a fossorial species that preys predominantly upon insects, particularly ants and termites.^[1]

Description

L. ternetzii measure 88–413 mm (3.5–16.3 in) in total length (including tail).^[2]

Reproduction

L. ternetzii is oviparous.^[1][2] An adult female may lay a clutch of 2–7 eggs.^[1]