Biodiversity
Red Worm Lizard
Amphisbaena alba | Linneu, 1758
Characteristics: This lizard may measure up to half a meter long. Its body is long, cylindrical, and devoid of feet. Its dorsal portion is creamy, and it is bright yellow laterally; its bottom portion is washed blue. Its body is covered by tough skin, with traces of scales. Its tail and head blend, while its eyes are small and dull, covered by film.
Distribution: This type of lizard occurs throughout Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
Habitat: It is found in forest habitats, although it also occurs in the savanna and other areas. It lives underground, but five individuals were seen moving on the surface in the morning, on the forest floor, usually after heavy rains.
Habits: Its defensive behavior includes the "horseshoe" posture, with a raised tail and head and an open mouth; if touched it undoes the position and resumes it with vigorous movements. After biting, it revolves around its long axis, making a twisting motion on the object it bit. These lizards live underground and are rarely seen on the surface.
Diet: Its diet seems to be quite varied, including arthropods, larvae, worms, and small vertebrates.
Breeding: Oviparous. It reproduces in the dry season, with the brood ranging from 8-16 hatchlings.
UFRA: Species considered rare and spotted only once in a field track between Organic Sugarcane Plantations and Exotic Woods.