Zarundnyi´s Worm Lizard

Habitat:

This lizard looks like a worm, and is the reason why it is called the “worm” lizard, but this is a real lizard that has scales like all reptiles. This is the only lizard without legs that lives in Qatar, and moves using body undulations like snakes. The body length is smaller than 30 cm. This is the only fosorial lizard living in Qatar and its vision is very limited due to their underground life style. The species can be found in soft soils with vegetation and in caves. They eat insects and other small invertebrates. Females lay eggs. The species was very abundant in the past, but now it is a rare species very difficult to see in Qatar

World Distribution:

The species is distributed in western Iran, southern Iraq and Kuwait, the Arabian Peninsula where it is found in northern and central Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar

Conservation status:

It is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List

Scientific publications:

We have found 24 scientific publications about the species in international databases. Most of the studies are about physiology and parasites, but also about thermal ecology and behaviour. No information about the ecology of the species exists for Qatar

Similar species:

None in Qatar

Description:

Nikolski, 1907