Monopeltis anchietae


Monopeltis anchietae, also known commonly as Anchieta's worm lizard, Anchieta's spade-snouted worm lizard, and the Angolan spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, anchietae, is in honor of Portuguese naturalist José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta, who was an explorer of Africa.

Geographic range

M. anchietae is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. anchietae is savanna, at altitudes of.

Description

M. anchietae is reddish brown dorsally, and unpigmented ventrally. The head shields are yellowish tan. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length of. The maximum recorded SVL is.

Reproduction

M. anchietae is viviparous.