Animal Diversity 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073524255
ISBN 13: 978-0-07352-425-2

Chapter 18 - Review Questions - Page 398: 10

Answer

Amphisbaenians ("worm lizards") are lizards that are highly specialized for a fossorial life. Amphisbaenians are built for burrowing due to numerous physical adaptations. They have elongate, cylindrical bodies and have almost no external limbs. Their eyes are hidden underneath the skin and they have no external ear openings. They skull is conically shaped, which helps them to tunnel cleanly through soil. Their skin forms numerous, independently moving rings that can grip soil. This grip helps amphisbaenians to move through the soil in a way that is similar to earthworms.

Work Step by Step

Amphisbaenians ("worm lizards") are lizards that are highly specialized for a fossorial life. Amphisbaenians are built for burrowing due to numerous physical adaptations. They have elongate, cylindrical bodies and have almost no external limbs. Their eyes are hidden underneath the skin and they have no external ear openings. They skull is conically shaped, which helps them to tunnel cleanly through soil. Their skin forms numerous, independently moving rings that can grip soil. This grip helps amphisbaenians to move through the soil in a way that is similar to earthworms.
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