What ecological term describes the essential, underground living adaptation defining the worm snake’s lifestyle?
Answer
Fossorial
The lifestyle of the worm snake is characterized by its extreme adaptation to subterranean existence. The specific term used to denote organisms that are adapted for living underground is fossorial. This behavior is a crucial survival mechanism that allows the snake to effectively avoid adverse environmental conditions, specifically preventing overheating and desiccation, especially during the warmer summer months when surface temperatures are high. Their physical structure, particularly their narrow, pointed heads, is specifically adapted for actively pushing through loose soils, cracks, and crevices to maintain this underground existence.
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