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Threadsnake
Rena dissectus
HARMLESS
Note: Oklahoma now has 1 species of threadsnake, the New Mexico threadsnake (Rena dissectus), and 1 subspecies, the Plains threadsnake (Rena dulcis dulcis). They are not commonly seen and they bear a strong resemblance to each other. It's for those reasons that they are included together on this ID page. These snakes were formerly listed in the genus Leptotyphlops.

 
Description: 
A smooth, worm-like snake; reddish-brown or pink, with a blunt head and tail. The belly is either white or pink, and the eyes are small black spots on the side of the head.

Size: 
Adults 5 - 10 inches (13 - 25 cm)

Prey: 
Eggs, larvae, and pupae of termites and ants.

Reproduction: 
A clutch of 2 - 7 eggs is laid late June to July. Females watch over incubating eggs and may share nesting sites with other females. Hatchlings are about 2 " (7 cm) long.

Habitat: 
Stony hillsides, prairies, and in sandy or rocky desert areas.

Other Information: 
​Active in the evening and at night. This burrowing snake is usually only seen on the surface following a rain storm. It is most commonly found in loose, damp soil under logs and rocks.

The New Mexico threadsnake is found in the northern half of this range map.

The Plains threadsnake is found in the southern half of this range map.


​
Why doesn't the range map show this species in my county?
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  • Home
  • Harmless Species
    • Broad-banded watersnake
    • Bullsnake
    • Coachwhip
    • Common gartersnake
    • Common watersnake
    • DeKay's brownsnake
    • Diamond-backed watersnake
    • Eastern hog-nosed snake
    • Flat-headed snake
    • Graham's crayfish snake
    • Great Plains ratsnake
    • Gulf swampsnake
    • Kansas glossy snake
    • Lined snake
    • Long-nosed snake
    • Marcy's checkered gartersnake
    • Northern red-bellied snake
    • Plain-bellied watersnake
    • Plains black-headed snake
    • Plains gartersnake
    • Plains hog-nosed snake
    • Prairie kingsnake
    • Racer
    • Ring-necked snake
    • Rough earthsnake
    • Rough greensnake
    • Scarletsnake
    • Slowinski's cornsnake
    • Speckled kingsnake
    • Texas nightsnake
    • Threadsnake
    • Variable groundsnake
    • Western black-necked gartersnake
    • Western milksnake
    • Western mudsnake
    • Western smooth earthsnake
    • Western ratsnake
    • Western ribbonsnake
    • Western wormsnake
  • Venomous Species
    • Copperhead
    • Northern cottonmouth
    • Prairie massasauga rattlesnake
    • Prairie rattlesnake
    • Timber rattlesnake
    • Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
    • Western pygmy rattlesnake
  • Patterned
  • Solid
  • Striped
  • About
  • Contact