Read About Burrowing Reptile

There are many burrowing reptiles. They burrow for many different reasons.

One type of burrowing reptile is the eastern worm snake. This snake averages two to twelve inches long, and it has very small eyes. This reptile has a tan colored back and a very pale pink belly that has been mistaken for an earthworm, because of its resemblance to the worm. The eastern worm snake needs sandy, well-drained soil in which it can burrow into. When found, it’s usually in the area of deciduous woodlands. They are found under rocks and woodland debris that is slightly buried in soil. During the dry seasons, the worm snake can be found a few feet in the soil. These reptiles eat mostly earthworms. It is hypothesized that these worm like snakes follow their food source above ground during the damp seasons.

Another type of burrowing reptile is the burrowing asp, also known as the Silleto snake. This snake family has somewhere around 55 different types. There are primarily found in both the Middle East and Africa. Because of their venom, they are extremely deadly. They live underground and eat both the burrowing mammals and other reptiles.

Pipe snakes make up their own family. They are another type of burrowing snake. They do not grow larger than 3 feet in length. The pipe snake is found in South America.

The bull snake is found is several different areas. They too are classified as burrowing reptiles, along with lizards.

There are many reasons for reptile burrowing. Reptiles are ectotherms, also known as “cold-blooded” animals. What this means, is the reptile cannot produce enough internal heat to keep the constant body temperature. The reptile’s body temperature is always changing due to the change in the environmental elements. Reptiles have to depend on themselves to regulate their internal body temperature by burrowing.

When it is cold climate, the reptiles need to warm themselves. When doing this they burrowing into the ground to increase their body heat. When the temperature is too warm outside in the elements the reptile tends to burrow into the ground to cool.

No matter the reason for burrowing the reptile does the borrowing to regulate its own body temperature. The reptile needs to keep from getting too cold so it does not get paralyzed from the outside elements and when it is excessively warm the reptile needs to go to cool so it does acquire heat distress. It is a matter of survival when the reptiles burrow.