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September 2004. A question on the distribution of Ramphotyphlops braminus, the Brahminy blind snake – the flowerpot snake in American Samoa – in the Pacific. It was believed to be in Western Australia and was recorded on both Nusa Tupe and Gizo islands, being the first records of this species for the Western Province of Solomon Islands.
It has been recorded from Australia (NT, QL, WA), Christmas Islands, Rota in the CNMI, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands. According to the Marshall Islands biodiversity report:
The non-native Brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) [and two geckos] …. are all parthenogenetic.
So, all it would take is one individual or one egg, perhaps inconspicuously riding along in a canoe, to establish a thriving population. The Brahminy blind snake has spread all across the Indo-Pacific region, probably both as adults and eggs. It is considered to be native to Asia and Africa, but it is so widespread that its exact place of origin is hard to ascertain. It is well established on at least some of the Marshall Islands and shows up quite often around the houses in downtown Majuro. Yet it evidently seems to often escape the notice of many researchers, for quite a few reports question whether it is still in the country. This oversight is excusable considering that a Brahminy blind snake, although a true snake, is only a few inches long, and about 1/16 of an inch wide, drab-colored and reclusive,usually hiding out in the soil or in rotting plant matter.
The information provided will be included in the profile that the Global Invasive Species Database is doing on the Brahminy blind snake. The Global Invasive Species Database (www.issg.org/database) already contains profiles of more than 100 invasive species in the Pacific and we are seeking funding to create more profiles.
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