Monopeltis Rhodesiana
( Zimbabwe Spade-snouted Worm Lizard )
- Monopeltis rhodesiana
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- Threat: unconfirmed
- Venom/Toxin: none
- Trend: stable
General Information
Monopeltis rhodesiana is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
Description
M. rhodesiana is pinkish, both dorsally and ventrally. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–25 cm. The maximimum recorded SVL is 28.5 cm. The tail is short, with only 5–9 caudal annuli.
Ecology & Behaviour
This fossorial species is associated with mesic savanna on alluvial soils (Branch 1998).
Reproduction
The mode of reproduction of M. rhodesiana is unknown.
Distribtion & Habitat
M. rhodesiana is found in southern Malawi, central Mozambique, southern Zambia, and northwestern Zimbabwe.
References
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- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Amphisbaenidae
- Genus: Monopeltis
