The Worm Lizard: An Animal Under the Ground

Imagine you dig in your garden. You see an animal that looks like a worm. However, it moves like a snake. This special animal is a worm lizard. It looks like an earthworm, but it is really a reptile.

Worm lizards are usually very small. Most of them are under 15 centimeters long. They live deep under the soil. Because they hide, scientists do not see them often. Today, over 200 kinds live in warm places. Long ago, their ancestors had legs. Over time, most lost their legs to dig better. A few rare kinds still have two tiny front arms.

Living in dark dirt requires helpful body parts. Their tail looks like their head. Because of this, they can move forward or backward easily. They also have strong skulls. They push their hard heads like shovels through the soil. Skin covers their eyes, so they cannot see well. Instead, special ear bones feel vibrations in the ground. This helps them hunt small insects and mice.

Some worm lizards live in interesting places. One red kind lives inside giant ant nests. It stays in the trash areas of the nest. This trash spot is safe and has plenty of food. What do you think is the most interesting thing about this animal?