Florida worm lizard (Rhineura floridana), a.k.a. Thunderworm!

This is a Florida worm lizard (Rhineura floridana), also called a Thunderworm!
While this looks like an earthworm, it's actually an extremely ancient lineage of burrowing legless reptile. The rings are actually made of many small scales. They use that flat snoot like a shovel.
They mostly eat insects and earthworms, and are usually less than 12 inches long. And no, they don't bite!
They're sometimes called thunderworms because they can get flooded out of their burrows during our big Florida thunderstorms.
This species lives almost exclusively in Florida. Scientists here at the Florida Museum are studying them because researchers just don't know a lot about these subterranean reptiles.
Discover Florida's reptiles and amphibians:
www.floridamus...
Florida Museum Herpetology Collection:
www.floridamus...
Music: UA-cam library 'Boreal - Asher Fulero'
No spoken words.

[@ericlehman6841]

I can see why mockingbirds confuse these amphisbaenians for worms. Very little is known about these animals because they frequently burrow in the dirt.

[@lorettahodgdon8691]

I can not find any photos of the eggs of any Amphisbaenian. Do you know of any links with information on reproduction especially how to identify the eggs, incubation period, etc. ?

[@FloridaMuseum]

Not a lot is known about these animals in Florida. Our scientists are working to better understand them and might have some info for you. You're welcome to email them at [e-mail]

[@rosebloodwater13]

​@@FloridaMuseumI just found a dead one in my yard and had no idea what it was till Google lead me here

[@edub1170]

I read an article that said these animals actually clone themselves as opposed to traditional reproduction. It’s been awhile but I do not believe they would even have eggs.

[@cancerix1700]

Bless the Maker and His water.
Bless the coming and going of Him.
May His passage cleanse the world.
May He keep the world for His people.

[@ericpelton4533]

Amphisbaenian

[@ericlehman6841]

Yep

[@bartholomeostalberger6023]

ρ尺ｏΜ𝐎ᔕᗰ