What is "worm snake"

Thunder \Thun"der\, n. [OE. [thorn]under, [thorn]onder, [thorn]oner, AS. [thorn]unor; akin to [thorn]unian to stretch, to thunder, D. donder thunder, G. donner, OHG. donar, Icel. [thorn][=o]rr Thor, L. tonare to thunder, tonitrus thunder, Gr. to`nos a stretching, straining, Skr. tan to stretch. [root]52. See Thin, and cf. Astonish, Detonate, Intone, Thursday, Tone.]

1. The sound which follows a flash of lightning; the report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.

2. The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt. [Obs.]

   The revenging gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend.
   --Shak.

3. Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon.

4. An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation. The thunders of the Vatican could no longer strike into the heart of princes. --Prescott. Thunder pumper. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. The croaker ( Haploidontus grunniens).

   2. The American bittern or stake-driver. Thunder rod, a lightning rod. [R.] Thunder snake. (Zo["o]l.)

      1. The chicken, or milk, snake.

      2. A small reddish ground snake ( Carphophis am[oe]na syn. Celuta am[oe]na) native to the Eastern United States; -- called also worm snake.

         Thunder tube, a fulgurite. See Fulgurite.

1. n. wormlike burrowing snake of warm regions having vestigial eyes [syn: blind snake]

2. small reddish wormlike snake of eastern United States [syn: thunder snake, Carphophis amoenus]

Worm snake is the common name sometimes given to several of snakes. They share the characteristics of small size, primarily subterranean habitat, non-functioning or small eyes, and varying resemblance to earthworms. Many are also known as Blind snakes, the alternative common name. The worm snake is indeed a snake although there are myths of it possibly being a lizard with very tiny legs or possibly being the offspring of a male snake and a female worm, though this is not true. As pets they are incredibly docile and social. Genera of snakes often called "worm snakes":

• Typhlina, sometimes also referred to as shield-tailed snakes, or the African worm snake
• Typhlops, sometimes also referred to as burrowing snakes