Amphisbaena caeca

Amphisbaena caeca
from Puerto Rico
biting researcher's hand. They are strong enough to rip off tiny pieces of skin.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Amphisbaenidae
Genus: Amphisbaena
Species:
A. caeca
Binomial name
Amphisbaena caeca
Cuvier, 1829

Amphisbaena caeca, commonly known as the Puerto Rican worm lizard or blind worm lizard, is a species of worm lizard endemic to Puerto Rico. These animals are vermicular reptiles that live under logs, rocks, and dirt. Other species of Amphisbaenids in the Caribbean include Amphisbaena bakeri, Amphisbaena fenestrata, Amphisbaena schmidti, Amphisbaena xera, and Cadea blanoides.

Amphisbaenids are legless, worm-like reptiles with elongated bodies nearly uniform in diameter. They are covered with ring-like scales similar in appearance to earthworms. They are underground animals, hence the eyes have degenerated to tiny indistinct spots under the rings.

  1. ^ Rodriguez, C., Joglar, R. & Thomas, R. 2016. Amphisbaena caeca (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T74855063A115480153. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T74855063A75171286.en. Downloaded on 12 March 2019.