Darwin's ringed worm lizard

Darwin's ringed worm lizard (Amphisbaena darwinii) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to South America.

Darwin's ringed worm lizard
Photograph of A. darwinii in controlled environment.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Clade:	Amphisbaenia
Family:	Amphisbaenidae
Genus:	Amphisbaena
Species:	A. darwinii
Binomial name
Amphisbaena darwinii A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839
Synonyms[2]
Amphisbaena heterozonata Burmeister, 1861 Amphisbaena Mildei W. Peters, 1879 Amphisbaena trachura Cope, 1885

Etymology

The specific name, darwinii, is in honor of English naturalist Charles Darwin.^[3]

Description

Darwin's ringed worm lizard may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 36 cm (14 in).^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Darwin's ringed worm lizard is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.^[2] The preferred natural habitat is grassland.^[1]

Ecology and behavior

Darwin's ringed worm lizard is fossorial^[1] and oviparous.^[2]