Mertens' Worm Lizard

About the Mertens' Worm Lizard

Amphisbaena mertensii, also known as the Mertens' worm lizard or Mertens's worm lizard, is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America. Amphisbaenians are fossorial reptiles with few predators due to their powerful bite and writhing defensive tactics. However, some snakes have been found feeding on amphisbaenians including A. mertensii. This species is also able to defend itself against dangerous predators such as snakes by releasing a foul discharge from its cloacal region.

The specific name, mertensii, is in honor of a Dr. Mertens who collected the holotype. A. mertensii is found in northern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay. A. mertensii is oviparous. List of reptiles of Brazil

Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II.... Amphisbænidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (Amphisbæna mertensii, p. 441).

Gans C (2005). "Checklist... Wikipedia →