Monopeltis capensis
Species of amphisbaenian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monopeltis capensis, also known commonly as the Cape spade-snouted worm lizard, the Cape wedge-snouted worm lizard, the Cape worm lizard, and the South African shield-snouted amphisbaenian, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
| Monopeltis capensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Monopeltis |
| Species: | M. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Monopeltis capensis A. Smith, 1848 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Geographic range
M. capensis is found in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[2]
Habitat
Description
M. capensis is uniformly pinkish white, both dorsally and ventrally. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 34 cm (13 in).[3]
Diet
M. capensis burrows in red soils to preys upon beetle larvae, termites, and other small invertebrates.[3]
Reproduction
M. capensis is viviparous.[2] A brood of 1–3 is born in summer. Each neonate has a total length (including tail) of 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in).[3]
