Monopeltis capensis | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
Genus: | Monopeltis |
Species: | M. capensis
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Binomial name | |
Monopeltis capensis
A. Smith, 1848
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
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.
M. capensis is found in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. [2]
The preferred natural habitats of M. capensis are grassland, shrubland, and savanna. [1]
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]
M. capensis burrows in red soils to preys upon beetle larvae, termites, and other small invertebrates. [3]
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]
Monopeltis capensis | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
Genus: | Monopeltis |
Species: | M. capensis
|
Binomial name | |
Monopeltis capensis
A. Smith, 1848
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
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.
M. capensis is found in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. [2]
The preferred natural habitats of M. capensis are grassland, shrubland, and savanna. [1]
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]
M. capensis burrows in red soils to preys upon beetle larvae, termites, and other small invertebrates. [3]
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]