Relatively small snakes, leptotyphlopids rarely exceed Script error: No such module "convert". in length; only Trilepida macrolepis and Leptotyphlops occidentalis grow larger. The cranium and upper jaws are immobile and no teeth are in the upper jaw. The lower jaw consists of a much elongated quadrate bone, a tiny compound bone, and a relatively larger dentary bone.[2] The body is cylindrical with a blunt head and a short tail. The scales are highly polished. The pheromones they produce protect them from attack by termites.[3] Among these snakes is what is believed to be the world's smallest: L. carlae (Hedges, 2008).[4]
Leptotyphlopids occur in a wide variety of habitats from arid areas to rainforest, and are known to occur near ant and termite nests.
Feeding
The diets of leptotyphlopids consist mostly of termite or ant larvae, pupae, and adults. Most species suck out the contents of insect bodies and discard the exoskeleton.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Reproduction
Snakes in the family Leptotyphlopidae are oviparous.[2]
↑Field Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa - Bill Branch (Struik 1988)
↑Hedges SB (2008). "At the lower size limit in snakes: two new species of threadsnakes (Squamata, Leptotyphlopidae, Leptotyphlops) from the Lesser Antilles". Zootaxa1841: 1-30.PDF at Zootaxa. Accessed 28 July 2008.
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