Florida worm lizard

▪ reptile

      pale or pinkish wormlike lizard characterized by the absence of limbs, external eyes, or ear openings, representing the only living member of the amphisbaenian family Rhineuridae. (Amphisbaenians are a group of burrowing, limbless lizards with concealed ears and scale-covered eyes.) It is known only from the peninsula of Florida in the United States; however, fossils from the northern Plains indicate that the family had a much wider distribution in the past. R. floridana has a long wormlike body and a short stubby tail. It grows to a length of 18–38 cm (7–15 inches), and it preys on spiders (spider), worms (worm), and termites (termite). It is an egg-laying species, and females deposit eggs (egg) from which tiny fully formed young emerge.

      R. floridana burrows in soil, sand, and leaf mold and spends the greater part of its life underground. Tunnels are constructed by forcing the head into the soil and moving the head up and down to pack the soil away from the direction of movement. The animal then moves its body forward and repeats the process. When disturbed, it backs into its hole. Although they are difficult to find within their natural habitat, worm lizards are often discovered on roads following heavy rains.

Laurie Vitt

 

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