Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - Physical Characteristics, Geographic Range, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, White-bellied Wormlizard (amphisbaena Alba): Species Account - HABITAT, WORMLIZARDS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - Physical Characteristics

The members of this family, known simply as wormlizards, are long, thin, legless animals. Their scales are arranged in rings around the body with each ring separated from the next by a shallow groove. This ring and groove pattern makes them look much like earthworms, even though the worms lack scales. In some species of wormlizard, the head is round. In others, it may be shaped like a shovel, or i…

Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - Geographic Range

Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - Diet

Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - Behavior And Reproduction

Wormlizards are fossorial (foss-OR-ee-ul), which means that stay underground most of the time. Depending on the shape of the head, they dig their tunnels in different ways. Those with a round head butt their heads straight into the dirt like a battering ram and move forward that way. Other species with heads shaped like shovels, scoop up dirt onto the top of the head and then press it into the roo…

Wormlizards: Amphisbaenidae - White-bellied Wormlizard (amphisbaena Alba): Species Account

Physical characteristics: Among the largest members of the family, the white-bellied wormlizard can grow to 33.4 inches (85 centimeters) long with a body that can reach up to 2 inches (25 centimeters) wide. Adults can, however, be much smaller, growing to only half that size. Of their total length, only 6 percent is tail. Like other wormlizards, their scales form rings around the body and give the…