De Coster's worm lizard
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
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Order
Genus
SPECIES
Monopeltis decosteri

De Coster's worm lizard (Monopeltis decosteri), also known commonly as De Coster's spade-snouted worm lizard and De Coster's worm-lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

Animal name origin

The specific name, decosteri, is in honor of Belgian Consul Juste De Coster, who was stationed at Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

Appearance

In life M. decosteri is pinkish white dorsally and ventrally. Preserved specimens in alcohol are yellowish white. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in), but the maximum recorded SVL is 29 cm (11 in).

Distribution

Geography

M. decosteri is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

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The preferred natural habitat of M. decosteri is moist savanna with sandy soil.

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Mating Habits

M. decosteri is viviparous.

References

1. De Coster's worm lizard Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Coster's_worm_lizard

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