Puerto Rican worm lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puerto Rican worm lizard |
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| from Puerto Rico | |
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| biting researcher's hand. They are strong enough to rip off tiny pieces of skin. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amphisbaena
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| Species: |
caeca
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The Amphisbaena caeca, also known as the Puerto Rican worm lizard or blind worm lizard, is a unique species of worm lizard. It lives only in Puerto Rico. These animals are worm-shaped reptiles. They spend most of their lives underground, often found under logs, rocks, and dirt.
Worm lizards are legless and look like large worms. Their bodies are long and have a similar thickness all the way along. They are covered with ring-like scales, which makes them look even more like earthworms. Since they live underground, their eyes have become very small. They are just tiny spots hidden under their skin rings. Other worm lizard species in the Caribbean include Amphisbaena bakeri, Amphisbaena fenestrata, Amphisbaena schmidti, Amphisbaena xera, and Cadea blanoides.
What Does It Look Like?
The Puerto Rican worm lizard is pinkish-brown. Its head and tail are this color. It also has many dark spots on its body rings, which are called annuli. This species has between 214 and 237 of these rings. It can grow to about 10 inches (260 millimeters) long from its snout to its vent (a body opening).
It can be hard to tell the head from the tail of this lizard. Because of this, local people in Puerto Rico sometimes call it a "two-headed snake." In Spanish, this is culebra de dos cabezas.
How Does It Live?
Puerto Rican worm lizards are excellent burrowers. This means they dig tunnels in the ground. You can find them under logs, rocks, and old tree stumps. They also like to live under termite and ant nests. They use their strong heads to push through the soil.
Where Does It Live?
These worm lizards prefer certain places to live. They are often found in dense woodlands. They also live in thickets, which are areas with many bushes and small trees. Sometimes, they can even be found in caves.
Where Can You Find It?
The Puerto Rican worm lizard is found on the island of Puerto Rico itself. It also lives on nearby islands. These include Isla Vieques and Isla Culebra. You can also find them in the Virgin Islands.
