The Family Aniliidae is a small group of non-venomous snakes represented today by a single living species, the red pipe snake (Anilius scytale), found in northern South America. These snakes are fossorial (adapted for burrowing), with cylindrical bodies, smooth shiny scales, a short tail, and a blunt head that makes them resemble earthworms. They retain several primitive features, such as vestigial pelvic girdle elements, linking them to early snake evolution. Aniliids are secretive, spending much of their time underground or under leaf litter, and they feed mainly on small vertebrates like amphibians and other reptiles. Their morphology and lifestyle make them an important taxon for understanding snake ancestry and evolutionary history.