Monopeltis sphenorhynchus

Monopeltis sphenorhynchus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Amphisbaenidae
Genus:	Monopeltis
Species:	M. sphenorhynchus
Binomial name
	Monopeltis sphenorhynchus; W. Peters, 1879
Synonyms
	Monopeltis sphenorhynchus; W. Peters, 1879; Lepidosternon sphenorhynchum; Strauch, 1881; Monopeltis sphenorhynchus; — Boulenger, 1885; Monopeltis mauricei; Parker, 1935; Monopeltis habenichti; V. FitzSimons, 1937; Monopeltis capensis gazei; V. FitzSimons, 1937; Monopeltis ocularis; V. FitzSimons, 1941; Monopeltis sphenorhynchus; — Auerbach, 1987;

Last updated May 27, 2023

Monopeltis sphenorhynchus, also known commonly as Maurice's slender worm lizard, Maurice's spade-snouted worm lizard, and the slender spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.

Geographic range

M. sphenorhynchus is found in Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of M. sphenorhynchus are deep sand and alluvial soil.^[3]

Description

Slender and medium-sized for the genus, adults of M. sphenorhynchus usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 32.5 cm (12.8 in). The body is uniformly pink, both dorsally and ventrally.^[3]

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of M. sphenorhynchus is unknown.^[1]

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References

1 2 3 Monopeltis sphenorhynchus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 24 February 2019.
↑ Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II. ... Amphisbænidae. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I–XXIV. (Monopeltis sphenorhynchus, p. 455).
1 2 Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Monopeltis sphenorhynchus, p. 126 + Plate 41).