Amphisbaenia

Amphisbaenia (called amphisbaenians or worm lizards) is a suborder of usually legless squamates, comprising over 180 extant species. Amphisbaenians are characterized by long bodies, reduction or loss of the limbs, and rudimentary eyes. As many species possess a pink body coloration and scales arranged in rings, they have a superficial resemblance to earthworms. All are limbless except for Bipes, which retains forelimbs. Although superficially similar to the snakes and Dibamidae, recent phylogenetic studies suggest that they are most closely related to the Lacertidae. Amphisbaenians are widely distributed, occurring in North America, Europe, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Most species are less than 6 inches (150 mm) long. Little is known of them outside of their anatomy, and even that is difficult to study due to the mechanics of dissecting such small animals. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Diapsida