title: De Coster's worm lizard
text: # 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.
  
  