Amphisbaenia /æmfɪsˈbiːniə/ (called amphisbaenians or worm lizards) is

a group of usually legless squamates, comprising over 200 extant

species. Amphisbaenians are characterized by their long bodies, the
reduction or loss of the limbs, and rudimentary eyes. As many species
have a pink body and scales arranged in rings, they have a
superficial resemblance to earthworms. While the genus Bipes retains
forelimbs, all other genera are limbless. Although superficially
similar to the snakes and blind lizards, recent phylogenetic studies
suggest that they are most closely related to wall lizards of the
family Lacertidae. Amphisbaenians are widely distributed, occurring
in North America, Europe, Africa, South America, Western Asia and the
Caribbean. Most species are less than 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Despite a superficial resemblance to some primitive snakes, amphisbaenians have

many unique features that distinguish them from other reptiles. Internally, their right
lung is reduced in size to fit their narrow bodies, whereas in snakes, it is always the
left lung. Their skeletal structure and skin are also different from those of other
squamates.[1] Both genetic and recent fossil evidence indicate that amphisbaenians
lost their legs independently from snakes.[2]

The head is stout, not set off from the neck, and either rounded, sloped, or sloped with
a ridge down the middle. Most of the skull is solid bone, with a distinctive single
median tooth in the upper jaw. It has no outer ears, and the eyes are deeply recessed
and covered with skin and scales. These rudimentary eyes have a cornea, lens, and
complex ciliary body, which allows them to detect light, but they are reduced in size
and do not have an anterior chamber.[3] The body is elongated, and the tail truncates
in a manner that vaguely resembles the head. At their tail is a single fracture plane for
tail autotomy, between the fifth and eighth caudal rings and is often visible due to
coloration. The purpose seems to be to distract predators with the tail acting as a
decoy.[4] Their name is derived from Amphisbaena, a mythical serpent with a head at
each end—referencing both the manner in which their tail truncates, and their ability
to move just as well in reverse as forwards. The four species of Bipes are unusual in
having a pair of forelimbs, but all limbless species have some remnants of the pelvic
and pectoral girdles embedded within the body musculature.

Skull of the amphisbaenian Blanus, showing the large teeth and

powerful jaws typical of worm lizards

Amphisbaenians have a distinctive skin made up of rings of scales (annuli) that form a
tube in which the loosely attached trunk of the body moves. Burrowing is achieved
with an accordion-like motion, with longitudinal muscles in the skin bunching up the
annuli, anchoring it to the surrounding soil, and trunk muscles moving the body
forward or backwards within the integumentary tube.[5]

Amphisbaenians are carnivorous, able to tear chunks out of larger prey with their
powerful, interlocking teeth. Like lizards, some species are able to shed their tails
(autotomy). Most species lay eggs, although at least some are known to be viviparous.
[1]
The white worm lizard (Amphisbaena alba) is often found in association with
leafcutter ants. This reptile is thought to forage in the ants' deep galleries, where the
insects deposit their waste. The presence of these reptiles is easily explained by the
fact that they prey on the larvae of large beetles that also inhabit the leafcutter ants'
galleries.[6]

Amphisbaenians have often been categorized by their skull shape. The specialized
skull shape is hypothesized to be driven by environmental and ecological conditions,
such as soil type, and is an instance of convergent evolution.[7]