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Typhlops vermicularis - for FiKRET


Typhlops vermicularis - for FiKRET
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3982 W: 153 N: 4792] (12684)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04
Categories: Reptiles
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3, Bayram's dedications, Cyprus Herpetofauna, Turkish Herpetofauna, Dedications at TrekNature Part Three, Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents, Syrian Herpetofauna [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-29 0:26
Viewed: 798
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Typhlops vermicularis (Worm Snake)(in Turk. Kör Yilan)

A small, slender-cylindrical bodied, aglyphous (non-venomous) snake is rather like an earthworm, rarely exceeding 35 cm of total length (the body diameter may up to be 1 cm). Head is inconspicuous, not easily distinguishable from the tail. Mouth is localized subterminal. The tail is about long as wide (i.e. very short) and terminates in a conical spine. Eyes underneath scales and are visible as two small black dots. Rostral plate is approximately 1/3 of the head width, reaching up to the level of eyes on top of head. Nasal plate is partly divided. Preocular plate is present. Four supralabial plates exist. There are no enlarged ventral nor subcaudal scales. Both dorsal and ventral scales quite similar and cycloid shaped, in 21-26 longitudinal rows at mid-body (the dorsal scales are 200-400 in each longitudinal rows), a dark spot at the posterior edge of each scale. Coloration is uniform: usually glossy rosy, pinkish or yellowish, occasionally brown to blackish, sometimes slightly lighter below. Often translucent, so that inner organs, eggs, or food remnants can be observed through the ventral body wall.

Mainly subterranean, inhabits damp soils or found under stones, fossorially preys on insect larvae and ants. When handled, tries to sting with the small spine at the end of its tail. An aggregation of numerous individuals was observed by us and some other authors (See the workshop version). During the hottest months, the snakes penetrate deeper to prevent desiccation. It appears on the surface only occasionally, mainly after heavy rains. The matting occurs in the spring. It is oviparous, the females lay in summer 4-8 elongated eggs deep into the moist earth or under stones. Since it has a minute mouth, only small prey can be swallowed. They feed predominantly on all developmental stages of ants, termites and other small arthropods, occasionally earth worms are also eaten.

The range of this snake species includes lowlands of the Balkan Peninsula, eastern Mediterranean islands, Turkey eastwards to Caucasus, Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, southwards to Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Sinai and Egypt.
In Northern Cyprus, the occurrence of this species is confined to the coastal lowlands and especially Mesaoria Plain (Mesarya Ovası) localized between the two mountain range, Kyrenian and Troodos, exist in Cyprus.

And today, I would like dedicate this photo to our friend, Fikret YORGANCIOGLU (fiyo) from Turkey for his kind interest my herpetological captures and in thanks for his lovely dedication to me with a beautiful Coin snake and its predation shot. Thank you Fikret for the lovely dedication once more.
Jamesp, kaytan, matatur, nkasot, zulfu, fiyo, bahadir, xTauruSx, Silvio2006, jaycee, degani, nglen, horia, jpdenk, Adanac, haraprasan, Ena, hester, Janice, cicindela, rkailas, yasemin, montivipera, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rkailas: Hi Raviboreocypriensis 1 03-09 09:13
To SelenE: Selam Selen Hanımboreocypriensis 1 03-08 03:21
To cicindela: Hi My dear Friend Radomirboreocypriensis 1 03-06 10:07
To estival: Cia Emanueleboreocypriensis 1 03-06 09:47
To Janice: Hi Janiceboreocypriensis 1 03-02 21:41
To EOSF1: Hi Marioboreocypriensis 1 03-02 09:27
To hester: Hello Karanboreocypriensis 1 03-02 03:22
To Ena: Hello Enaboreocypriensis 1 03-02 03:21
To haraprasan: Hello Haraprasanboreocypriensis 1 03-01 14:17
To Adanac: Hello Rickboreocypriensis 1 03-01 06:57
To jpdenk: Hi Johnboreocypriensis 1 03-01 06:56
To horia: Hello Horiaboreocypriensis 1 03-01 06:52
To nglen: Hello Nickboreocypriensis 1 02-29 14:07
To degani: Hello Francoboreocypriensis 1 02-29 14:06
To jaycee: Hello my dear friend Janeboreocypriensis 2 02-29 10:24
To rousettus: :) selamboreocypriensis 1 02-29 09:29
To marcellr: Hello Marcelloboreocypriensis 1 02-29 09:28
To joey: Hello Joeboreocypriensis 1 02-29 08:34
To Silvio2006: Ciao Silvioboreocypriensis 1 02-29 06:26
To xTauruSx: Slm Denizboreocypriensis 1 02-29 05:19
To bahadir: sağolboreocypriensis 1 02-29 05:18
To mariki: Hello Marieboreocypriensis 1 02-29 05:17
To matatur: Selam Hocamboreocypriensis 3 02-29 04:36
To fiyo: Selamboreocypriensis 1 02-29 02:47
To zulfu: slmboreocypriensis 1 02-29 02:24
To nkasot: slmboreocypriensis 1 02-29 02:24
To jignasi: Hi Ignasiboreocypriensis 1 02-29 02:00
To Jamesp: Hello Jamesboreocypriensis 1 02-29 01:55
To kebapci: Selam Ümidimboreocypriensis 2 02-29 01:07
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Critiques [Translate]

Yine güzel ve üpertici olmayan bir tür. Kahtvaltı yapmadığım için olsa gerek daha önce görmediğim bir kangal sucuk tipi olarak nitelemem ilk anda. Arkadaki parlama jelatine sarılı gibi hoş bir ifade vermiş. Yakın çekimlerini de bekleriz hocam. Saygılar

Ümit

Hi Bayram

This is a lovely shot oftheis snake, which is new to me (we only have three species in the UK - and one of those is only found in a very small area). Good framing, exposure and detail here.

James

Thanks for this fine specimen of a Worm Snake Bayram, its unique coloration is demonstrated perfectly here, and the two eye spots are visible. Only negative point is the strong reflections of (probably) the flash, a softer illumination or the usage of suitable flash diffusers and/or bounce flash techniques would correct this problem.
Cheers,
Mehmet

Curiosa para empezar. No conocía este tipo de animales. Los colores son sorprendentes así como los colores.
Abrazo: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • nkasot Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 403 W: 0 N: 38] (189)
  • [2008-02-29 2:16]
  • [2] [+]

Selam Hocam. Orijinal de workshop da bence güzel ancak ben workshop u daha çok beğendim. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (583)
  • [2008-02-29 2:18]
  • [+]

Nazım'a katılıyorum. WS daha tatlı olmuş. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 924 W: 5 N: 2259] (8370)
  • [2008-02-29 2:35]
  • [+]

Bayram bey bu harika hediyeniz için çok teşekkürler:) workshop version'u da orginali kadar çok güzel.Ellerinize sağlık.Selamlar.

Selam Hocam. Canlı renkler ile güzel bir görüntü olmu. Diğer foto da aynı. Nefis yani...Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Bu türü bilmeyen ilk bakışta toprek solucanı sanır hocam. Verdiğiniz bilgiler ve workshopu çok güzel. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

Hi Bayram, splendid snake with superb sharpness and fine details, great pink color, I never see before, thanks, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 242 N: 5560] (19685)
  • [2008-02-29 8:11]
  • [+]

What a weird snake!! Look at those tiny, little eyes! :-)
Superb composition with no areas of uninterest.
Nice natural colours and perfect lighting.
Excellent sharpness.
Slightly noisy but that is the only nit.
Thanks for sharing this Bayram!

Joe

Ciao Bayram,
questa foto è fantastica!!
Non avevo mai visto questa specie e, grazie a te, ora posso ammirarla in tutta la sua sorprendente bellezza.
Bravo davvero :)
Ciao,
Marcello

bu mini-minnacık yılanın güzel bir yakın çekimi.
WS'a sonradan baktım, memleketin bütün kör yılanları burda gibi:) düğün-bayram var gibi toplanmışlar. eline sağlık hacı. selamlar.

Hi Bayram,

Thank you for your nice comments on my 300th. This is a strange looking snake. I thought at first it was a huge worm - I've never seen anything like this before. The color is amazing. I love the way he is coiled and how he shows up so well against the background.

Jane

Fantastic image Bayram,
this strange animal has a beautiful pink colour and a gread reflecting body, thank you for your interesting note too,
kind regards
franco

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1989 W: 5 N: 5528] (20896)
  • [2008-02-29 11:46]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram. What a fantastic colour such a bright colour . as you say they come in many colours. you have captured such good detail . with a nice POV. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2078 W: 216 N: 3757] (12468)
  • [2008-03-01 4:38]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

A great shot of this very interesting snake from you!
I've always been a bit fascinated about snakes like this - that look more like a worm :)) - and i always wanted to see one in real life...perhaps i should plan a trip to Cyprus soon :) I'm sure i would have a huge diversity of interesting things to learn about, see and photograph.

I love both this shot and the one in the workshop - which i think it's even harder to come by :)
The details on your subject are excellent and the color is very well reproduced - contrasting very well with the BG and making it stand out very well even from the thumbnail.
Superb work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi Bayram,

What a fascinating snake! You've photographed it very nicely too, very sharp and lots of detail, good exposure also.

Thanks,
John

Hello Bayram,
This is a very outstanding image of a species I have not seen. The eyes are so tiny yet your detailed image allows us to see them. The skin color and patterns are excellent as well, thank you for the lesson.
Rick

Hi Bayram,
A lovely capture of this beautiful and harmless snake. I like the WS version very much. Excellent sharp details and a fine composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Bayram,

Beautiful composition. Good sharpness and excellent colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

PS: sorry for the points, I forgot today, I'll do it tomorrow

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 570] (2341)
  • [2008-03-02 2:41]
  • [+]

Selam Bayram,
Beautiful shot!
Good presentation of the species!
TFS
Ena

Hi Bayram

That is an amazing colour! and I love the shape formed by the snake. Perfect focus and great POV. Wonderful image

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1329 W: 107 N: 4791] (21282)
  • [2008-03-02 9:08]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram, a very interresting subject shot with a great technique, great job, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3446 W: 144 N: 5883] (17434)
  • [2008-03-02 17:52]
  • [+]

What an strange colour for a snake. Yes, at first I thought it was a worm!! Very interesting notes too Bayram
Thank you for sharing this unusual beauty
Janice

Veramente molto strano questo serpente! Complimenti per la bella foto.

Ciao e grazie, Emanuele

Hello Bayram!
Here is the species I always wanted to see in the wild! Three time - when I was in Montenegro and in Anbania - I was looking for this amazing creatures, but always without any success :( This picture is another fantastic example of diversity among reptiles, and many thanks for showing it!
Friendly yours,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2339 W: 59 N: 3778] (12122)
  • [2008-03-07 14:25]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Ilginc bir tur. Paylasiminiz ve verdiginiz bilgiler icin tesekkurler
Selamlar

Hi Bayram

What a superb shot of this typhlops! This is the best [icture I have seen of this family. Lovely colors and details!

I missed many of your shots and your gallery is filled with fantastic herp pictures!

TFS and Best
Ravi

Hi Bayram. What a worm-like snake? Excellent composition and pose. Great sharpness and details. Well done.
Leyla

Merhaba Hocam,
Kör Yılanı koymanız iyi olmuş, birçok kişi böyle bir yılanın olduğunu bilmez. Fotoğraf her zamanki gibi çok iyi ve ayrıntılı. Nokta şeklindeki nispeten körelmiş gözler dahi çok iyi görülüyor. Teşekkürler!
Saygılar
Naşit

Another great shot from Cyprus. Good sharpness, nice contrast and as always a very informative note Uncle... tfs...Best wishes... cypturk

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