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Small & Blind - for Marhowie


Small & Blind - for Marhowie
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3981 W: 153 N: 4792] (12682)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-08
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Bayram's dedications, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-09 22:13
Viewed: 719
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Typhlops vermicularis (Worm Snake, “Common Blind Snake”) [in Turk. Kör Yılan] (A portrait) [General appearance]

Today I would like to dedicate this capture of this minute and non-venomous beautiful “snake” to one of our friends in TN, Howard Cheek (marhowie) who is an expert on photographing of every kind of life unit to thank to him for his valuable contributions to TN. I hope you can like this Howard:)! I wish you all the best my friend!

Hoping that you like this shot!

Cheers,

Bayram

Etymology: in Lat. typhl: blind + ops: eyes + vermicularis: like worm.

*****************************

Perhaps the most conspicuous physical characteristic of blindsnakes (family: Typhlopidae) is their small size: The genus Typhlops, consists of several tenths of species distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite of its wide range, the Worm Snake is considered to be monotypic.

The range of Worm Snake includes lowlands (with a vertical distribution to approx. 1500 m) of the Balkan Peninsula, eastern Mediterranean islands, Turkey eastwards to the Caucasus, Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, southwards to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Sinai and continental Egypt.

Worm snake is a rather small (in this photographed animal approx. 18 cm), aglyphous, worm-like snake, rarely exceeding 350 mm of total length. The cylindrical and very slender body is almost constantly thick from the neck to the tail base; the small head is not distinct from neck. Like other blindsnakes, it has small, ventrally placed mouths and highly reduced eyes that are covered by the enlarged scales surrounding the head. The snout is rounded. The body scales (both dorsal and ventral) are smooth, shiny, and strongly overlapping, in 22-24 (20-26) rows at midbody. There are no enlarged ventral nor subcaudal scales, the dorsal scales are 200-400 in a longitudinal row, the anal shield is entire. The tail is about as long as wide and terminates in a conical spine. The eyes are vestigial, more or less discernible under the ocular scale. The rostral shield is large, posteriorly reaching the level of the eyes. 4 upper labials, the first minute, getting larger posteriorly. 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.

Worm snake is a fossorial species and prefers vegetated habitats with deeper wet soil in which it can burrow. It spends nearly all of its life buried in the soil or under stones in Mediterranean steppes, in oak forests, at sparsely vegetated rocky slopes and in the cultivated fields and gardens, but mostly only during the springtime. Though often found near water, wetlands are omitted. An aggregation of numerous individuals has been reported. During the hot season, animals penetrate deeper to prevent desiccation. It appears on the surface only occasionally, mainly after heavy rains.

The natural behavior is poorly known. Because these small snakes spend most of their lives hidden underground, much of what is known about their behavior derives from observations of the defensive strategies that they implement when they are unearthed by humans. When first exposed, most blindsnakes immediately endeavor to burrow into the soil. If captured, they attempt to escape by frantically thrashing their bodies back and forth, defecating, and voiding the contents of their anal glands. In addition, in many instances the apical tail spine is jabbed forcefully into the captor’s skin. No blindsnakes are known to bite in defense.

Amongst the known blindsnakes (family: Typhlopidae), mating behavior has been observed only in this species. The male wraps several tight coils around the posterior portion of the female’s body during copulation. This behavior presumably allows the male to keep the female’s cloaca positioned properly during mating. In some instances, the male and female become intertwined with one another during copulation. On other occasions, the snakes may face in opposite directions while mating. The mating occurs in the spring. It is oviparous, the females lay in summer 4-8 elongated eggs deep into the moist earth or under stones.

Thanks to the minute mouth, only small prey can be swallowed. The diet consists predominantly of all developmental stages of ants, termites and other small arthropods, earth worms are also occasionally eaten.

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
4. Grzimek, B., (2003). Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, Second Edition Volume 6 Amphibians. Schlager Group Inc. 507 pp.
jaycee, Jamesp, zulfu, bahadir, meyerd, mariki, xTauruSx, nkasot, mayuresh, nikosrio, eng55, sandpiper2, Silvio2006, jpdenk, Gert-Paassen, gpeler, Argus, goldyrs, marhowie, rousettus, montivipera, dkaved, anel, bullybeef53, yasemin, hester, Hormon_Manyer, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Hormon_Manyer: Hi Laszloboreocypriensis 1 06-20 12:39
To montivipera: Slm Naşitboreocypriensis 1 06-13 12:58
To dkaved: Hi Davidboreocypriensis 1 06-13 12:30
To marhowie: :Dboreocypriensis 1 06-12 12:41
To jaycee: Hi Sister Janeboreocypriensis 2 06-10 08:02
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4597] (14871)
  • [2008-06-09 22:26]
  • [+]

Hi Brother Bayram,

Your post is the last one I will see tonight! This snake really does look like a worm. I wish I knew the metric system - took us a while to figure out it must be about 14 inches long. Good colors and details - for once it is not a beautiful eye. I'm wondering what the background is. I'm sure Howard will appreciate the dedication. He is an outstanding member of TN with his wonderful posts and critiques.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 0 N: 4829] (14332)
  • [2008-06-09 22:29]

Hi Bayram

An amazing shot of and incredible reptile. You have captured its texture perfectly. A worthy dedication.

TFS

James

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (583)
  • [2008-06-09 22:37]

Hi Bayram hocam perfect portrait macro capture of this minute and very active snake in motion on a lava structured-mossed rock with excellent clarity. Superb detailed shot showing its head and body scalation. TFS.Regards, Mehmet

Günaydin Bayram Hocam, bu miniminnacık ve süper hareketli yılan için oldukça detaylı bir portre. Plak altına çekilmiş gözler dahi görünüyor. Elinize emeğinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 386 W: 63 N: 1137] (3485)
  • [2008-06-09 23:00]

Hi Bayram,
excellent shot of Typhlops. This is such an interesting animal. For the first time I can see the glossy surface which presumably helps to advance underground. Good dedication! I'm sure Howard will be delighted that a small and blind animal is dedicated to him, the big and eagle-eyed photographer.
My best regards to you, Bayram
Dietrich

Bonjour,
Que voilà un sujet original bien documenté.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello Bayram,

Very nice close-up of this amazing snake. Excellent POV and focus. Good light and colours. The eyes look so strange.
Cheers,
Mariki

Bayram Hocam oldukça kücük ve binokuler mikroskopta bile görmekte zorlandığımız pek çok pul-plak detayını gösteren mükemmel bir makro çalışması olmuş. elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Oldukça küçük ve gözle hatta stereomikroskopta dahi görülmesi zor, harika ve detaylı bir makro çalışması olmuş hocam. elinize sağlık.
Nazım

Hello Bayram,
firstly thanks for your good informative note. very nice close-up shot of beautiful creature with great details.
well done.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-10 4:28]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Güzel fotograf,güzel bir belge.
Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

Hi Bayram

Excellent portrait of this most unusual snake !!
Great sharpness, DOF and POV. What a weird pattern they have, especially around the face.
Thanks for another great contribution from the reptiles of Turkey.

Chris

Hi Bayram, great macro of this small creature, amazing details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-06-10 8:13]

Hi Bayram,
Outstanding close-up shot of this great specimen and your notes are always so educational. Very neat and sharp image with nice colours and details. Very interesting mouth it has. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • jpdenk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 263 W: 1 N: 395] (1070)
  • [2008-06-10 10:21]

Hi Bayram,

An outstanding close-up of this fascinating animal, wonderful image!

Thanks,
John

Hi Bayram,

Nice shot of this blind reptile.
You must be an lucky man so many different reptile and frogs you becoming to see.

Gert

Hi brother.. Bu kor yilandan sanirim daha once gormustum, ya da benzerini...Cok guzel ve net cikmis..TN arkadasina hediye etmen incelik... Merak ettim islak gibi duruyor derisi ama bilgilerini okuyunca anladm nedenini...Ellerine saglik..Iyi calismalar cunku rest yapmaya niyetin yok gibi ....Take care bro...Leyla

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1199 W: 68 N: 2473] (8159)
  • [2008-06-10 11:06]

Hello Bayram,
Don't have much time, very beautiful photo.
Regards,
Peter

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Çok güzel bir yakın çekim ellerinize sağlık ama yine benim için korkunç tabiki:))) Bu arada yazdığınız bilgilendirici notların hepsi çok güzel. Paylaşımlarınız için çok teşekkürler.
Gamze:)

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 242 N: 5550] (19643)
  • [2008-06-10 14:12]

It's such an unusual creature isn't it!
You show it very well too.
The glossy scales are very pretty.
Sharp with great clarity.
Excellent DOF too.

What a fine capture, Geckoman!

Cheers,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2596 W: 133 N: 7433] (23169)
  • [2008-06-11 10:33]

Merhaba Bayram,
I missed this one!
A fine close portrait of this little Typhlops with fine lighting and colours and a nice composition to show the head off in the best way.
Great tribute to our TN friend Howard for his excellent contributions to this site. HI hope he sees this!
TFS,
Selamlar,
Ivan

Lovely shot, bro!
And great notes!
your bro,
Goldy

Well of course I like it Bayram, what's not to like :)
I don't where or how you find all these species, a very small and curious looking creature you present to us..
So this is the only representative genus within the species I see..Said the blind man ;-}
Excellent closeup comp & POV here. Great detail, colors, and exposure as well.
Thank you for this dedication, I appreciate it mf.
Howard

very nice detailed macro shot of this Kör Yılan, Bayram! Absolut detail of the head!
tfs
Ilias

uzaktan farklı, yakından farklı görünüyor bu küçük ve zararsız yılan. yakın çekimi pek bir güzel olmuş. pul detayları ve küçücük gözleri çok güzel görüntülemişsin. eline sağlık hoca.

Merhaba Hocam,
Evde internette sorun olduğundan uzak kaldım biraz. Bu tür bundan daha iyi bir şekilde sunulamazdı herhalde, elinize sağlık.

Not: Bugun yoktunuz, ben pazar günü gidiyorum. Size iyi çalışmalar dilerim, görüşmek üzere.
Saygılar
Naşit

Hi Bayram,
Haven't seen one of these before....an interesting species of snake.I like how the pattern of its skin is similar to that of the surface it is resting on.Have a great weekend!
Regards, David

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1166 W: 0 N: 1950] (8279)
  • [2008-06-13 12:39]

hello Bayram,
My goodness what a face! I have seen some of these Blind snakes, but I never looked so close to their face. Excellent portrait ;-)
Bonne soirée
Anne

Bayram You have a very educational noe which is well researched.
the photo is sharper on the left than on the actual snake.
Jim

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-06-14 13:39]

Hi Bayram

What a great looking creature, I love the textures you caught here with the soft, smooth body of your subject contrasting against the hard, rough surface of the rock. Beautifully composed, great POV and pin sharp

TFS

Karan

Hi Bayram,
I've seen Your name / link under a lot of photos as a critiquer - but God knows why, this is the 1st time when I browsed Your interesting gallery. But better later than never - and I'm sure this is the 1st, but not my last visit of Your photos. For the 1st comment I chose this great close-up shot of this unusual reptile, which You captured very nicely, with perfect sharpness, colors and DOF. Professional macro photo, congratulations, and of course tfs, also for the informative note.
Best regards from Hungary, László

Amazing close-up of this worm snake uncle. Detail and colur very clear too...Well done, take care....Regards...Cypturk

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