Amphisbaena leali
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Amphisbaena leali faces severe threats from rapid urban expansion and agricultural conversion throughout its extremely limited range in northeastern Brazil. The species' fossorial lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance from construction and intensive farming practices. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting dispersal opportunities for this already rare worm lizard.
Habitat
This fossorial amphisbaenian inhabits sandy and loamy soils in dry forest remnants and scrubland areas of the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil. The species requires loose, well-drained substrates that allow for extensive burrowing networks in areas with sufficient organic matter to support its invertebrate prey base.