Amphisbaenid

One reptile-like animal that is neither snake nor lizard, is the amphisbaenid (Diplometopon zarudni ). Its short stocky body grows to approximately 20 cms in length. Much stronger than the thread snake and equipped with a spade-like snout, it is able to burrow in fairly compacted soil but is very rarely seen, since it is nocturnal and spends most of its time underground. Completely harmless, it feeds on insects which it hunts mainly underground, leaving a clearly visible raised trail on the surface. It is pinkish to purple in colour, dotted with small black spots and squares.