Moroccan worm lizard

The Moroccan worm lizard (Blanus mettetali) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to Morocco.^[3]

Moroccan Worm Lizard
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertoidea
Clade:	Amphisbaenia
Family:	Blanidae
Genus:	Blanus
Species:	B. mettetali
Binomial name
Blanus mettetali Bons, 1963
Synonyms[2]
Blanus cinereus mettetali Bons, 1963 Blanus mettetali — Busack, 1988

Etymology

The specific name, mettetali, is in honor of a Mr. Mettetal who was head of the Laboratory of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Morocco.^[4]

Description

Blanus mettetali has eight or more preanal pores, which are usually arranged in a continuous transverse series.^[2]

Habitat

The natural habitats of Blanus mettetali are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, arable land, and pastureland, at elevations up to 2,092 m (6,864 ft).^[1]

Behavior

Blanus mettetali is terrestrial, sheltering in sandy soil and under stones.^[1]

Reproduction

Blanus mettetali is oviparous.^[1][2] Clutch size is one egg.^[1]

Conservation status

Blanus mettetali is threatened by habitat loss.^{[citation needed]}