Leptotyphlops jacobseni
Range: Northeastern South Africa, near Pretoria in Mpumalunga and Limpopo Provinces
Jacobsen’s Threadsnake is a little-known yet widespread South African endemic, found in semi-montane environments in the northeastern portion of the country (to the northeast of Pretoria and Johannesburg). It grows to an average of 16 cm long, with records of up to 21 cm, very slender-bodied in build with a blunt rounded head and similarly blunt tail tipped with a prominent spike. Scale count is 14 mid-body, the scales with a highly polished, glossy appearance and nearly two-toned in color, with an overall shading of deep brown to black but the rear edges to halves of each scale slightly lighter, resulting in an almost spot-patterned appearance. The chin may also sport paler markings as well. This species can be distinguished from its other close relatives by this mildly patterned and highly glossy appearance as well as the lack of most other defining markings; ventral scale count of 244-289 may differ as well from its relatives.
Habitat: Found from 1300-1700 meters in elevation in montane moist grasslands and savannahs, where it prefers living under stone slabs or within termite mounds.
Prey: Unknown, but likely small soft-bodied invertebrates such as ant and termite larvae.
Lifespan and reproduction: lifespan unknown, likely under 10 years. Oviparous, lays 1-3 elongate ovular cream-white eggs.
Sources: https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/25575633/original.jpeg?1537944734
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/178203/115659510#geographic-range