[3] These blindsnakes are found in India (including the Andaman Islands), Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia (including Java, Ternate, Sulawesi, Halmahera, Waigeu, Salawati, Irian Jaya, and Bali), and Papua New Guinea.

These blindsnakes were considered to be part of the family Typhlopidae and were formerly known as the Typhlops ater species group.

[4] Gerrhopilidae, Xenotyphlopidae, and Typhlopidae are grouped together in the superfamily Typhlopoidea to emphasize their closer relationship to one another than to the other two families of scolecophidians (Leptotyphlopidae and Anomalepididae).

The Gerrhopilidae are thought to have originated on Insular India during the Cretaceous, shortly after its separation from Madagascar.

[5] Gerrhopilids differ from other blindsnakes in having gland-like structures ‘peppered’ over the head scales.