Species profile
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
Identify Western Threadsnake (Rena humilis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Western Threadsnake (Rena humilis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 749 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Arizona, and New Mexico the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- One of the smallest snakes in North America, typically only 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) long.
- Resembles a large earthworm and is frequently mistaken for one.
- Has vestigial eyes covered by scales, rendering it essentially blind.
- Feeds exclusively on ant and termite eggs and larvae.
- Found in arid scrub and rocky soils of California, Arizona, and Baja California.
Where Western Threadsnake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Threadsnake
Background
Rena humilis, known commonly as the western blind snake, the western slender blind snake, or the western threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Six subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Threadsnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Threadsnake?
Western Threadsnake (Rena humilis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Western Threadsnake?
Western Threadsnake is Rena humilis.
Is Western Threadsnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Western Threadsnake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Western Threadsnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Western Threadsnake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.