The Blind Velvet Worm is an invertebrate with a soft, flattened and cylindrical body covered in minute papillae, giving it a velvet-like appearance. The Blind Velvet Worm has 15 pairs of non-jointed legs with well-developed feet and claws and has antennae extending from the head. When at rest it measures 25–35 mm, although when walking it extends to approximately 50 mm in length. The Blind Velvet Worm lacks eyes and, except for the dark brown tips of its claws and jaws, is completely white.
Blind Velvet Worm |
Leucopatus anophthalmus
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Listing Advice, Tasmanipatus anophthalmus
Additional threats include inappropriate fire regimes or wildfire.
Fire of high frequency or intensity can degrade or eliminate suitable habitat by clearing leaf litter and drying out suitable logs (DPIW; 2005).
The level of threat is currently increased due to the effect of drought on fuel load conditions within the species range (M.
The threat of wildfire is particularly problematic as the species specific microhabitat is highly susceptible to being altered by the effects of such events and; generally; the species is not found in logs that have been burned within the last 20 years.
Fire of high frequency or intensity can degrade or eliminate suitable habitat by clearing leaf litter and drying out suitable logs (DPIW; 2005).
The level of threat is currently increased due to the effect of drought on fuel load conditions within the species range (M.
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