The family Typhlopidae groups subterranean snakes with habits similar to leptotyphlopids, but generally larger in size and with a diverse ecological distribution in Venezuela. They are animals adapted for burrowing, with cylindrical bodies, poorly differentiated heads, and reduced eyes.

These snakes pose no danger to humans and feed mainly on social insects and small soil invertebrates. Their activity takes place almost entirely underground, which explains how rarely they are observed.

The family Typhlopidae plays a key ecological role in regulating insect populations and in the natural aeration of soils. The loss of natural habitats and intensive land use constitute their main threats, rather than direct persecution by humans.