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Cape Range Blind Snake (Anilios sp. 'Cape Range')

The Cape Range blind snake is a poorly known Anilios taxon recorded on the WA priority list for the Pilbara region. Its appearance, habitat and ecology are not described. Works should use cautious survey and soil-disturbance procedures. It is DBCA Priority 1, a priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 1.

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement patterns have not been documented. Apply precautionary fauna procedures throughout the year.

Taxon-specific seasonal data: None recorded.

The seasonal row is a general planning precaution, not evidence of activity during particular months.

  • Precautionary work planning: Planning window only. Seasonal activity is unknown, so maintain fauna checks and encounter procedures throughout the year.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Cape Range blind snake is identified as an Anilios blind snake, but diagnostic features have not been documented.

Taxon-specific details of colour, scales, body form and size have not been documented.

Identification: Similar species

Features for separating this taxon from other Anilios have not been documented. Identification should not rely on descriptions of other blind snake species.

Identification: Field signs

Taxon-specific tracks, burrows, shed skin and other field signs have not been documented. Do not assume the taxon is absent because no animals or signs are found.

Distribution: Known range

The taxon is poorly known, and its precise range and named collection locality have not been established.

The WA priority list reports the taxon as known from few locations. Those locations and a type locality have not been identified.

Distribution: WA records

The DBCA list identifies the Pilbara region. Atlas of Living Australia records show no public WA coordinates for this taxon. Although the common and taxon names include Cape Range, no locality record there has been identified.

Distribution: Conservation status

The taxon is poorly known and known from few locations, with none on conservation lands.

Habitat: Known habitat

The taxon's habitat has not been documented.

The vegetation, landform, soil and moisture conditions used by this taxon have not been identified.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not infer habitat from the taxon name or records of other Anilios species. Assess the proposed works area directly and treat potentially suitable terrestrial ground as requiring precautionary consideration.

Foraging habitat: Foraging information

The taxon's diet, foraging behaviour and foraging habitat have not been documented.

Prey, feeding method, feeding locations and seasonal foraging patterns are unknown.

Foraging habitat: Works planning

Do not identify or retain particular prey resources as a taxon-specific requirement. Record disturbed ground conditions and any fauna observations for review by the project ecologist.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are poorly known.

Breeding method, breeding sites, clutch size and timing have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not schedule works around an assumed breeding season. Apply the same fauna precautions throughout the year unless reliable, taxon-specific information becomes available.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Taxon-specific sheltering sites and conditions have not been documented.

Refuges, burrow depth and the substrates used by this taxon are unknown.

Sheltering habitat: Ground disturbance

As a general precaution where a blind snake may be encountered, inspect exposed soil and material carefully during controlled excavation. Do not assume that an absence of animals at the surface means the ground is clear.

Threats: Recorded threats

Specific threats to this taxon have not been identified.

Taxon-specific threats, population trends and impact studies have not been documented.

Threats: Potential works impacts

As a general precaution, ground disturbance may injure fauna present in the work area. Avoid unnecessary soil disturbance and use controlled work methods where fauna could be encountered.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No taxon-specific survey method or detectability information has been established. Use a cautious, documented approach and do not interpret non-detection as proof of absence.

Check current DBCA information, project records and relevant fauna records for the proposed works area. The Pilbara region is identified, but no public WA coordinates or named records are available.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

Have a suitably experienced fauna ecologist inspect the work area before clearing. As general practice for blind snakes, check disturbed soil, spoil and material moved during works for animals. Do not rely on surface searches alone.

Survey methodology: 3. Detection and records

The survey season, effort and detection probability for this taxon are unknown. Record survey conditions, effort, locations and potential observations, and have uncertain identifications reviewed by a qualified herpetologist.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Pre-start planning

Plan for uncertainty because the taxon's distribution and habitat requirements are poorly documented.

Brief clearing crews on the taxon's priority status, the lack of reliable diagnostic information, and the procedure for stopping work if a possible blind snake is found.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Work area controls

Clearly mark approved disturbance limits and avoid unnecessary clearing or soil movement. Arrange for a fauna spotter catcher to be present during ground disturbance where required by the project approval or management plan.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Controlled clearing

Use controlled work practices and respond promptly to any potential fauna encounter.

Keep machinery within marked limits and proceed in a controlled manner that allows the fauna spotter catcher to inspect the active work area and exposed material.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Fauna encounter

If a possible blind snake is found, stop work in the immediate area, protect the animal from people and machinery, and contact the project ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Do not handle or relocate it unless the person is authorised and competent to do so.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Incident record

Record the location, date, circumstances, photographs where safe, actions taken and the animal's outcome. Seek expert identification because diagnostic features for this taxon are not documented.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-work review

Follow up potential encounters and retain clear records of the work and its outcomes.

Review fauna records, work areas and any incidents with the project ecologist. Report findings through the applicable project and regulatory processes.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Unexpected observations

If an animal is found after clearing or excavation, secure the immediate area and obtain advice from a suitably qualified person. Document its condition, location and disposition.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Ground recovery

Taxon-specific rehabilitation requirements have not been identified. Follow the approved project plan and avoid further harm to fauna.

Reinstate disturbed ground and vegetation in line with the site's approved rehabilitation objectives. Particular substrates and plant communities have not been identified as requirements for this taxon.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitoring and records

Record rehabilitation actions and any fauna observations. Do not claim that rehabilitation provides habitat for the Cape Range blind snake without supporting taxon-specific evidence.

Sources