De Coster's worm lizard
# De Coster's worm lizard

De Coster's worm lizard (Monopeltis decosteri), also known commonly as De Coster's spade-snouted worm lizard and De Coster's worm-lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

## Etymology

The specific name, decosteri, is in honor of Belgian Consul Juste De Coster, who was stationed at Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.

## Geographic range

M. decosteri is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

## Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. decosteri is moist savanna with sandy soil.

## Description

In life M. decosteri is pinkish white dorsally and ventrally. Preserved specimens in alcohol are yellowish white. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in), but the maximum recorded SVL is 29 cm (11 in).

## Reproduction

M. decosteri is viviparous.

