I imagine it was also long but only part of it was sticking out. I gather you don't want to touch it, but you can tell easily if its a worm if its moist and squishy, or a snake of its firmer and smoother. Brahminy blind snakes are typically a little bigger than New Guinea flatworms, measuring 4-6 inches long. Close. It was black and a little skinnier than a spagetti. The head scales are similar in size and shape to body scales. save hide report. You're lucky to come across one. We live in south florida and its been raining alot. Archived. Freaked me out! I just had my dog bring one in the house. Fourth edition. The Brahminy Blind Snake originally lived in southeastern Asia. Gosh, I guess you stumbled on THEIR property! Powell, R., R. Conant, and J.T. However it is not an earthworm, or even a lizard but an amphisbaenid, an independent suborder of the order Squamata – of which lizards and snakes are the other two suborders. I live in Charlotte, NC. That's a shame. They arrived in the US about a century ago and were spread … The reader’s house is on the east coast of Florida, in a town called Fort Pierce. These tiny snakes do not bite in defense. It was pretty interesting watching him burrow into the ground. Brahminy Blind Snake, Flowerpot Snake. The tail is tipped with a tiny pointed spur. Found one (Large 14inches) in my garden bed in Polk County, Image: President and Fellows of Harvard College. I just found one while cleaning out the garden at my work I was wondering if my husband would be able to use it while fishing so I brought it home and I put it in my garden he told me it was a good thing I didn't get bitten by it because it look like a snake to him hopefully it'll have babies and help my plants I was wondering if I should tell somebody so here it is Orlando Florida has the worm lizard. Found in Florida. Glass Lizards. These snakes are small, thin, and shiny silver gray, charcoal gray, or purple. Banner photo courtesy of Noah Mueller. 2016. Is that normal? At first glance, many people mistake Brahminy Blind Snakes for earth worms due to their small size and similar appearance. Quite interesting. Also, if you look closely at the head, you can see these snakes stick out their tiny tongues while being held. From the way it quickly disappeared, I figure it was OK, but then I was afraid to walk there any more. The tiny, slender Brahminy Blind snake is sometimes called ‘the potted plant snake’ because it is often found in flowerpots. Adults and juveniles are often found in urban and agricultural areas, where they can be locally abundant. I moved past and lifted up like a snake but i couldnt see eyes or mouth. According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, the hammerhead worm is a “terrestrial flatworm” that is native to Southeast Asia. It makes me wonder how many times you've walked right over them without even realising, Just found one in my yard while cleaning up debris from Hurricane Irma. I agree with the brahiminy blind snake idea. Although both are shiny, if you look carefully you will see that earthworms are segmented (i.e., they have rings around the body) and brahminy blindsnakes are not segmented. Facebook came through, saying that it wasn’t a snake at all but instead a hammerhead worm. Brandon, Florida. World's Smallest Snake found in Florida "worm snake" - YouTube The Eastern worm snake is one of the non-venomous colubrid species. I brought it home safe and sound to educate the kiddos and let him go. When you buy a snake from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee. And, it could spread through the US. 4.3k. He came running into the house trying to tell grandma he saw a white snake Neither grandma nor I (grandpa) paid much attention to what he was telling us. According to the University of Florida, the family of worms … They share the characteristics of small size, primarily subterranean habitat, non-functioning or small eyes, and varying resemblance to earthworms. They have smooth scales and dark brown or black bodies. It is a small species with a specific … Am so hoping he'll be alright!!!! I had no idea what it was. Quite interesting. Not knowing what it was, I captured it and put into a jar with leaves to show to his dad and mother. These are smaller snakes that attain a maximum length of 8-12 inches. and E.M. Ernst. I love in Tampa Florida. Moler. I didn't know what it was, but it did not survive. With expansion of worldwide markets, sellers of greenhouse materials (live plants, potting stuff, packing substances) have carried it to other tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including Mexico, Florida and Hawaii.. They are all over florida, don't have a normal snake head, and look a bit wormish. Description: Worm snakes are small -- to 13 in (33.5 cm) -- brown snakes with smooth shiny scales, tiny eyes, and a pointed tail tip. Juvenile coloration is similar to that of adults. ;). The belly coloration often extends slightly onto the sides of the body. We have some unique Worm snakes for sale at amazing prices. The worm is also described as “slick” and is about four inches long. But yes, I don't think I would respond well to finding a large corpse right next to my bare hands! It may also be found in grasslands adjacent to woodlands. However, these snakes are occasionally found in trees. This is the first time I saw a lizard worm/snake. A jumping "snake worm" has started taking over US forests and it's on a mission to be the only creepy crawlers in town. I did not know what it was at the time.Welcome to Florida and all our lizards, bugs and snakes. It doesn't seem they actually pose and threat to people and now I feel even worse for having dropped a rock on him, whatever he was.. Wow, what a story! It rained so much here in Gulfport Florida That I gasped when I found a 10 inch long by 1" wide DEAD Worm lizard. More:Bloodsucking worms in pythons are killing Florida snakes, study says. Some people believe that this snake has a stinger on the tip of the tail. I just found one dead in my yard. It looked like these things but pale pink, almost see through, and was quite fat. I am heart broken!!! I still felt bad for I figured it must be rare and I hoped I didn't kill it. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Boston and New York. Solved ! I just found my 2nd one! Juvenile coloration is similar to that of adults. Must be rough being a worm lizard. Solved ! As their name suggests, they feed on worms, but will also take other insects with soft exoskeletons. The species' range extends from southwest Massachusetts, south to southern Alabama, west to Louisiana and north to Illinois. Brandon, Florida. My sister just killed a tiny, 3 inch long snake or worm in the house. Posted by 2 years ago. 2019. 97% Upvoted. 2003. Looking like a cross between a slimy slug and a flattened snake, the New Guinea flatworm has a renowned hunger for snails and the ability to live in just about any environment. Brahminy blindsnake. Like many other folks here, I thought it was a snake at first. we were alerted to it's presence by our cat. It's nice to see they are still around. Really wierd. Basic description. I hate to tell people, but this worm is in Charlotte, NC now!! I found one on my property with an egg. Found one under my air conditioner in NPR! Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. Since they are often found in flower pots, they are nicknamed “the potted plant snake.” Unlike New Guinea flatworms, these snakes are not considered to be dangerous. Non-venomous. I found this monstrous-looking worm in my living room. So, the reader’s worm is from Florida – it is a Florida worm, if you will, although of course the worm she discovered might be found in any number of other places depending on what it is. I am worried, i have a toddler. These snakes are small, thin, and shiny silver gray, charcoal gray, or purple. It hurt and still hurts. However, this is not the case. Today, when making my morning walk along the beach I saw one of this worm. Martin (1976) reported that only 5 of 545 snakes seen on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1969 and 1974-1975 were worm snakes. Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes. These snakes are small, thin, and shiny silver gray, charcoal gray, or purple. That was in the summer of 1986. xiv + 494 pp. No subspecies of brahminy blindsnakes are currently recognized. That's bad for your bite but good for them! Brahminy blindsnakes are excellent burrowers and can be found in loose soil and leaf litter, sawdust piles, rotting logs, and beneath rocks and other surface debris. The neck is indistinct, and the eyes are reduced to small patches of dark pigment beneath the scales. It was more than a foot long. Florida's Legless Lizards . These snakes are unknowingly transported around the world in the soil of ornamental plants. It was actually an invasive giant worm. If you have a new or interesting observation for this species, please email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum. The scales on the body are tiny, smooth, and shiny, and there are 14 scale rows along the entire body. Adult Brahminy Blind Snakes are small and thin, averaging between 2 ½ to 6 ½ inches in length. I live in Penha-Santa Catarina, South part of Brazil, near the shore. Found a very long one last year, almost 2 feet! The Brahminy Blind Snake is not native to Florida, but is actually from Southeast Asia. Brahminy blindsnakes are a non-native species from southern Asia that was first reported in Miami, Florida in the 1970s. I did a video on my phone and just looked it up on Google. I'm born and raised in Daytona Beach (circa 1960). Florida is home to two groups of legless lizards that are often mistaken for snakes--the glass lizards and wormlizards. Photo courtesy of Noah Mueller. The Florida Worm Lizard is certainly not a worm, though you could easily be fooled. Ernst, C.H. Thank goodness for this site! If uncovered, brahminy blindsnakes will typically try to escape by burrowing. Learn about other Florida reptiles & amphibians, No subspecies of brahminy blindsnakes are currently recognized. Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile. which I did not know even existed.Definitely prehistoric looking.Sadly not quite loved by me, I practically vomited since I garden with no gloves all the time. The head and tail both appear blunt and can be difficult to distinguish from each other. Yeah, I can imagine that would be quite a creepy discovery! None, but brahminy blindsnakes are frequently mistaken for earthworms. I picked him up to get all of the ants off of him and the placed him in the mulch in my garden. Needless to say I am done gardening for the day! What the hell is it? I'm so very upset I may have either stepped on him or the recycle bin ran him over. That has got to be some kind of infinite! Only 4-6 inches long, the Brahminy Blind Snake is black or dark grayish black, with a slightly lighter belly. It is an exotic species, originally from Asia, and probably spread to Florida via the nursery trade. Google put my mind at ease that it wasn't venomous and was a really interesting find. The body is generally light to dark brown on the dorsum and pink to white below. The pointy scale on the tip of the tail is completely harmless. Loved snakes, lizard & bugs my entire life, never met one until today. Snakes of the United States and Canada. This is the first time I saw a lizard worm/snake. Brahminy blindsnakes are not dangerous to people or pets. @TexWisGirl: They seem to have precious little interest in moving from there, anyway! This isn't the sort of thing you expect to see crawling out of the ground. Worm Snake Carphophis amoenus. The worm snake or worm lizard is commonly mistaken for a worm but is larger a subterranean species. Found one of these and thanks to your page know what it is! Florida Worm Lizard : Rhineura floridana Photo Fiona Sunquist ©. He's bleeding from his adorable little mouth. I'm guessing it came in from under the front door. @Crunchy: As Plan B's go, become a worm god has to rate quite highly! Ooo! It's a bizarre mix of snake and earthworm!You shouldn't feel too bad, though. What a creature! I am writing to tell that if it is from Florida, It is quite far way from home. They're definitely hard-headed, so your rock might not have done as much damage as you think! Many are also known as Blind snakes, the alternative common name. Therefore, unfertilized eggs begin cell division without sperm from a male. Almost "cute as my wife said. The eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus) is a subspecies of the worm snake, Carphophis amoenus, a non-venomous colubrid endemic to the Eastern Woodlandsregion of North America. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy. This species is parthenogenetic (all individuals are females). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. I wonder what would a worm lizard eating a caecillian eating an actual earthworm look like... Oh wow! As a result, these snakes are commonly found in gardens and potted plants, earning them the nickname “Flowerpot snakes.” In fact, brahminy blindsnakes have become the most wide-ranging terrestrial reptile species in the world. It has been raining a lot here lately and I guess that is why it came above ground. Most adult brahminy blindsnakes are about 4.4–6.5 inches (11.2–16.5 cm) in total length. A new study, led by researchers at Stetson University, shows that parasitic worms spread by invasive Burmese pythons are killing native Florida pygmy snakes, News 6 partner Florida … Researchers identified the parasites as the cause of death for three pygmy rattlesnakes at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in DeLeon Springs, Florida. I was digging up my back yard, and one came to the surface. Krysko, K.L., K.M. Worm snakes may grow to be up to 13 inches (33 cm) in length, although most do not exceed 11 inches (28 cm). Worm snake is the common name sometimes given to several species of snakes. About 15 minutes later I (grandpa) and my grandson was out front playing when he came to me saying he see's a white snake so I went to investigate and saw this snake. 706 pp. Collins. Most adult brahminy blindsnakes are about 4.4–6.5 inches (11.2–16.5 cm) in total length, with a record length recorded of 6.8 inches (17.3 cm). These snakes lack a pointed tail like the worm snake. My grandson of 4, found one in front of his house. Females can lay 1–8 eggs, and the offspring are genetically identical to the mother. I found one at the park (Acrombie) in St. Pete Fla. As the Charlotte Observer reports, the strange animal was later identified as a hammerhead worm. Not a snake. Though this snake can be abundant in parts of its r… The snakes that I have personally seen are all black with narrow pointed heads and between 3-4 ft, but my wife said one came in the house and it was 9-10 ft long, it was probably attracted to our bird which also went crazy. No snake venom, no lizard legs... Really the only option you've got is to trick a bunch of earthworms into worshiping you as their worm god. But the animal wasn’t some bizarre new snake species. Clifford (1976) noted that 21 of 278 snakes reported to him between 1972 and 1975 in the central Piedmont were worm snakes. This species is common in the ecotone between woodlands and wetlands. If you come across a patchy, brown snake that coils its body and raises its head like a viper, use your ears. Most adult brahminy blindsnakes are about 4.4–6.5 inches (11.2–16.5 cm) in total length. This one looked a bit over a foot long .CREEPY!! The Florida worm lizard looks like a large pink earthworm. Brahminy blindsnakes feed on the eggs, larvae, and pupae of ants and termites. A worm snake is a type of snake that closely resembles an earthworm. They have now been found from Key West north throughout much of the peninsula, and there are isolated records from the Panhandle. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, Florida. This small, brown worm snake can be confused with other species like earth snakes, red-bellied snakes, southeastern crowned snake, little brown snake (Storeria dekayi), and the ring-necked snake. They are also found in St. Petersburg and around Gainesville. The head and tail both appear blunt and can be difficult to distinguish from each other. The belly is grayish to brown, and the belly scales are not enlarged. Enge, and P.E. Not sure what dad did with creature. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist. It looks kind of like a worm, but it’s blue and has scales. The researchers found the invasive worms in Central Florida, more than 100 miles away from where the Burmese pythons reside in the southern … Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. I was walking along a sandy area one day and this huge thing came up out of the dirt in front of me so fast, looking so freaky and opening its mouth.I got so startled I jumped back, grabbed a rock and dropped it on his head, then I felt bad.I was shaking though, feeling like I had just escaped some monster.I asked people about it and they said it was an illusion from the heat. Do you have snakes around your house? Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. I don't blame you for being so terrified. My husband and I have a mulch pile by our house. But Now I feel sad, one less of this bizarre species.-RB. 117 comments. Still have questions about snakes or identifications? This invasive kind of earthworm, which got its name by how it thrashes like an angry snake on a fishing line, is originally from Asia, according to The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum and Science News.. This thread is archived. My apartment door is near the main sprinkler system. I took a picture and returned it to the dirt pile. I was just bit by a worm that looked just like this creature. In Florida this snake is found from the Florida Keys north to Lake Okeechobee, which includes all of Southwest Florida. However, they are not nearly as detrimental to native Florida ecosystems as other invasive reptiles in Florida. I recently found one on the sidewalk in Apopka and had no idea what it was.