Zarudny's worm lizard
# Zarudny's worm lizard

Zarudny's worm lizard (Diplometopon zarudnyi) is a species of amphisbaenian reptile in the family Trogonophidae. The species is monotypic within the genus Diplometopon. The species is native to the Middle East.

## Etymology

The specific name, zarudnyi, is in honor of Russian zoologist Nikolai Zarudny.

## Geographic range

D. zarudnyi is found in western Iran, southern Iraq, and on the Arabian peninsula in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, northern Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

## Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of D. zarudnyi are desert, grassland, and shrubland, at altitudes from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

## Description

D. zarudnyi typically measures approximately 30 cm (12 in) in total length (including tail). Because it has no limbs, it uses body undulations similar to a snake to move itself along. It has limited vision.

## Behavior

D. zarudnyi is terrestrial and fossorial, burrowing in sand or loose soil.

## Diet

The diet of D. zarudnyi consists of insects (mainly larvae and adults of beetles of the genus Dermestes), and other small invertebrates.

## Reproduction

D. zarudnyi is oviparous.

## Conservation status

D. zarudnyi is classified as Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN Red List.

