Black-and-white worm lizard

Amphisbaena fuliginosa

''Amphisbaena fuliginosa'', also known as the black-and-white worm lizard, speckled worm lizard or spotted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the genus ''Amphisbaena''. The ecology of ''A. fuliginosa'' is poorly known due to its fossorial habits. However, this species can be easily distinguished from others because of its characteristic white and black mosaic pattern that covers both the dorsal and ventral side.
Black-and-white worm lizard, Santa María, Colombia A reptile without limbs, yet not a snake. Meet the first worm lizard on JungleDragon, the Black-and-white worm lizard specifically. It is fairly widely distributed throughout South America, yet the odds of ever finding one is close to zero, since it spends most of its life underground. On top of that, it is a nocturnal creature. Therefore, a disclosure: we did not find this ourselves, one of the local guides found it a few days earlier and was temporarily holding on to it. This was the moment of its release. Not visible from a static image, the release clearly showed what a phenomenal digger it is. It is incredibly fast and strong in overcoming obstacles or going straight through them. Head closeup: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/49904/black-and-white_worm_lizard_-_head_santa_mara_colombia.html Full body shot: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/49905/black-and-white_worm_lizard_-_full_body_shot_santa_mara_colombia.html Fun fact: sometimes called a two-headed snake, based on the behavior where it raises both its head and tail at once when threatened. Learned that from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4tGSLXcrxg Amphisbaena fuliginosa,Boyacá,Colombia,Santa María,South America,World

Appearance

''A. fuliginosa'' grows to a total length of 30–45 centimetres .
Black-and-white worm lizard - full body shot, Santa María, Colombia Full body shot of a Black-and-white worm lizard found in Santa María, Colombia. Amphisbaena fuliginosa,Black-and-white worm lizard,Boyacá,Colombia,Santa María,South America,World

Behavior

It is a burrowing nocturnal species and spends most of its time underground. ''A. fuliginosa'' will feed on any small invertebrate, or insect, that it can find while burrowing. When it finds its prey it will use its strong jaws to catch and kill it.
Black-and-white worm lizard - head, Santa María, Colombia Head detail of a Black-and-white worm lizard found in Santa María, Colombia. Amphisbaena fuliginosa,Black-and-white worm lizard,Boyacá,Colombia,Santa María,South America,World

Habitat

It inhabits Amazonian forest areas.

Reproduction

This species is oviparous.

Food

It is a burrowing nocturnal species and spends most of its time underground. ''A. fuliginosa'' will feed on any small invertebrate, or insect, that it can find while burrowing. When it finds its prey it will use its strong jaws to catch and kill it.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyAmphisbaenidae
GenusAmphisbaena
SpeciesA. fuliginosa
Photographed in
Colombia