Range: Socotra, Yemen

​

Wilson’s blind snake is one of a handful of threadsnakes, and one of many hundreds of unique species, endemic to the main island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea. This species may yet be split among different parts of the island into several new species however; research is ongoing. It grows up to at least 10 cm in length, likely longer, with a rounded head slightly broader than the neck and a slender overall profile, and a short tapered tail tipped in a sharp point. Rostral scale is half the width of the head, and the cranial scales sport numerous tiny tubercles on their surfaces. Dorsal scale count is at least 287, scale row count 14 midbody, and 10 on the tail. Coloration is olive green to purplish brown, lighter brown or pinkish typically on the ventral surface. This species can be distinguished from its relatives like M. filiformis and macrorhyncha by its smaller size, blunt rounded rather than hooked snout and smaller rostral scale, and lower dorsal scale count.

 

Habitat: recorded from sea level to almost 1000 meters in elevation, in variably dense palm and Croton shrublands or forests and along wadis, under stones or fallen logs and within loose soil.

 

Prey: likely small soft-bodied invertebrates such as ant and termite larvae.

 

Lifespan and reproduction: lifespan unknown, likely under 7 years. Oviparous.

 

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/1803506

https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Myriopholis&species=wilsoni

Hahn, D. E. (1978). A brief review of the genus Leptotyphlops (Reptilia, Serpentes, Leptotyphlopidae) of Asia, with description of a new species. Journal of Herpetology 12(4): 477-489.