Anilius scytale; the only member of this family.
© Laurie J. Vitt.
Appearance: Brightly banded in red and black (but without yellow bands), hence often called "false coral snake" (but it is not venomous). Vestigial hindlimbs and girdle, premaxillary teeth, robust, tightly knit skull. Reduced eyes lying beneath large head scales.
Size: 60-100 cm snout-vent length.
Distribution: South-America.
Habitat: Soil.
Food: Other burrowing animals like caecilians, amphisbaenians, small snakes and lizards.
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous (3-13 neonates).
Behavior: Burrowing
Relationships: Anilius and Cylindrophis have been included in a single family before, the Aniliidae. However, Cylindrophis seems to be sufficiently different from Anilius to be included in a separate family, Cylindrophiidae.