Ah the internet, where everyone can agree on the big things like peace and love, but will get into blindingly hateful arguments over something like are Tiny Teddies considered a biscuit or a cookie.
Since the picture I took of a Redback Spider feeding on a ‘Blind Snake’ went viral, there have been dozens of people arguing about species. Whilst everyone agrees it is a Redback spider and most people seem to agree with my assessment that it is a Blind Snake, lots of people have their own theories about what the Redback is actually feeding on, some arguing for different species of snake and some arguing that it is a completely different creature all together!
Now whilst I initially thought it was a Brown Snake, which some people have messaged me to say they think it actually is, I concluded it was a Blind Snake as it strongly resembled those I have accidentally dug up from time to time around my property.
So what are the other theories out there? I’ve already mentioned some believe it is a Brown Snake but completely different animals seems to be the order of the day:
EARTHWORM THEORY
Michael Piggott of Epsom in Victoria believes it may be a giant Earthworm.
“Well I can’t see a head in the picture. It looks pointy at both ends. Snakes normally have a pointy end and a bitey end. I was in the pet store looking at baby snakes on Friday and they look very different to yours. They actually look quite beautiful.”
LEGLESS LIZARD THEORY
The most prevalent theory I have been presented with is that it is a Legless Lizard. This has been touted by everyone from day workers to former school Principals.
“I think it’s a Legless Lizard because of the scale pattern (smooth scales) and the tiny little leg, shape of the head etc”
It seems most of the people who don’t think it is a Blind Snake believe Tabatha to be correct on this score.
SLIDER SKINK THEORY
After the photo had been circulating for a few days, we had interest come from the scientific community itself!
Heath Butler, who has an Honours degree in Zoology and has studied the movement patterns of Tiger Snakes had a new theory:
“It’s a Slider Skink (Lerista punctatovittata). They are practically legless. No Australian blind snake has a pointed snout like that, or a tapered tail”
This was soon supported by Heath’s former professor, Mr Nick Clemann. Nick is a Senior Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, where he leads the Threatened Fauna Program. Nick specializes in reptiles and amphibians and has spent years studying the Mallee and Riverina herpetofauna
“The pointed snout clearly shows that this is a Lerista skink – and most certainly not a Ramphotyphlops. I have worked with both for many years, and I can assure you that Heath is correct. Furthermore, you will notice that the lizard changes colour from where the body ends and the tail begins (tellingly, right about where the rear legs are!). At the very bottom of the photograph you can see the alternating black and white colour pattern that is typical of the dorsal surface of Lerista punctatovittata, and does not occur on Blind Snakes. Lastly, you can even see the tiny, vestigial forelimb.”
“Heath is spot on”.
Someone else who asserts it is a Slider Skink is Mr Michael Swan who has been a Senior Reptile Keeper with Zoos Victoria for 17 years.
“It’s definitely not a snake…….and it does appear to be Lerista punctatovittata”
I asked Mr Clemann about Legless Lizards and how that seemed to be the popular choice for what this creature is and asked was there really much of a difference between a Legless Lizard and a Slider Skink. He answered thusly:
“There is much confusion around common names, which is why scientists like to use scientific names. There are 5 families of lizards in Australia: skinks, dragons, goannas/monitors, geckos and legless lizards. Legless lizards are technically very closely related to geckos. So a skink is no more a legless lizard than a goanna is a gecko. And skinks vary enormously in size. Australia’s smallest lizard (called Grey’s Skink) is about 3 to 4 cm in total length when fully grown, but things like Stumpy-tailed Lizards and Blue-tongued Lizards are also skinks.
Like legless lizards, some skinks have greatly reduced limbs, usually because they have evolved to live underground, or to ‘snake’ their way through thick vegetation. Leristas are an example of this. But they are NOT legless lizards, they are skinks.”
So what IS it?
So what this creature be? Brown Snake? Giant Earthworm? Do we believe the large group who think it is a Legless Lizard? Do we believe the scientists and experts with their years of training and their consensus that it is a Slider Skink? Or do we believe Big Angry Trev who stared at it for 2 minutes before crushing it with a watering can that it was a Blind Snake. Yes yes, I know your first instinct is to simply agree with me and believe whatever I say – it’s usually where the smart money is. But I must admit, I tend to defer to scientists and Heath and his crew make very persuasive arguments but then the likes of Tabatha certainly knows more about reptiles than I.
Write in the comments below what you believe the creature is, I would love to read your opinion!
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