Range: Amazon Basin, Bolivia to Venezuela and coastal French Guiana/northeast Brazil

 

The seven-striped blindsnake is an uncommon but exceedingly widespread species, ranging from potentially the northern tip of Bolivia across the Amazon region into southern Venezuela and east to coastal French Guiana and northeast Brazil. It can reach at least 27 cm in length, with a slim cylindrical build and smooth almost round scales. The head is slightly ovular, a touch broader than the neck with a smooth rounded snout, and the tail is very short and only slightly tapered with a small terminal spine. Dorsal scale count is 213-247, scale row count 14 reduced to 12 caudally. Coloration is a fairly uniform cream, tan-brown, or rusty orange/red with seven black stripes running neck to tail. The ventral surface may be slightly paler. The striped pattern, low dorsal count, and 12 midtail scale rows all distinguish this species from relatives.

 

Habitat: lowland rainforest from 0-500 meters in elevation, under soil/leaf litter or bark.

 

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

 

Lifespan and reproduction: lifespan unknown, likely under 10 years. Oviparous.

 

 

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/658627025 Arnaud Aury under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/32460-Siagonodon-septemstriatus#map-tab
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven-striped_blind_snake
https://vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com/article/98170/