Red worm lizard, aka the White or Legless White-bellied worm lizard - Amphisbaena alba.
Trinidad.
Despite the large geographic range that this unusual species covers, little is known about its ecology due to its secretive habits.
It is rarely found above ground. They like to hang out in the nests of leaf cutter ants where they feed on ants, ant pupae, and other insects.
Limbs are absent and the internal limb girdles are vestigial (greatly reduced). The scales are arranged in rings which encircle the body in an annulated fashion. The eyes are small but functional and the ears are covered over. The tongue is forked and able to collect scent molecules to obtain chemical cues. The teeth are few but large, and the skull and jaw bones are heavy and fused together for strength. These lizards can give a powerful bite, but they are not poisonous. They can move backwards or forwards using muscular waves passing along the body,
Red worm lizard, aka the White or Legless White-bellied worm lizard - Amphisbaena alba.
Trinidad.
Despite the large geographic range that this unusual species covers, little is known about its ecology due to its secretive habits.
It is rarely found above ground. They like to hang out in the nests of leaf cutter ants where they feed on ants, ant pupae, and other insects.
Limbs are absent and the internal limb girdles are vestigial (greatly reduced). The scales are arranged in rings which encircle the body in an annulated fashion. The eyes are small but functional and the ears are covered over. The tongue is forked and able to collect scent molecules to obtain chemical cues. The teeth are few but large, and the skull and jaw bones are heavy and fused together for strength. These lizards can give a powerful bite, but they are not poisonous. They can move backwards or forwards using muscular waves passing along the body,