There are over 200 species of legless lizards in the world, often referred to as glass lizards due to their delicate, easily broken bodies. These lizards have a remarkable survival mechanism: when threatened, they can shed their tails, which break off to distract predators, allowing the lizard to escape. Although sometimes called glass snakes or jointed snakes, these creatures are not snakes at all. Let's explore some of the fascinating species of legless lizards and their unique characteristics.
The genus Ophisaurus includes several species of legless lizards found in the United States and other regions. These slender glass lizards are often called this because of their glassy appearance. Some common species in this genus include:
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Eastern Slender Glass Lizard | United States (Eastern regions) |
| Western Slender Glass Lizard | United States (Western regions) |
| Island Glass Lizard | Various island habitats |
| Mimic Glass Lizard | United States |
| Pink Glass Lizard | Vietnam |
| Plainneck Glass Lizard | Mexico |
| Formosan Glass Lizard | Taiwan |
| Hainan Island Glass Lizard | China |
The genus Bachia contains legless lizards, although some species retain vestigial limbs, which are small, non-functional limbs that aid in mating but not movement. Here are some species of Bachia:
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Bachia micromela | Brazil |
| Bachia flavescens | Brazil |
| Bresslau's Bachia | South America |
| Bachia dorbignyi | South America |
| Bachia psamophilia | South America |
| Bachia oxyrhina (New Species) | Brazil |
In California, two species of legless lizards are found under the genus Anniella. These include the California Legless Lizard and the Baja California Legless Lizard. Key features of these lizards include:
| Species | Common Names | Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| California Legless Lizard | Silvery Legless Lizard, Black Legless Lizard | California |
| Baja California Legless Lizard | – | Baja California |
The California legless lizard is known for its greyish-silver body and glossy scales, while the Baja California legless lizard typically features yellow underbelly and darker top skin.
The genera Dibamus and Anelytropsis are home to species often referred to as blind lizards or blind skinks, primarily found in dense rainforests and some specific areas:
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Anelytropsis papillosus | Northeastern Mexico |
| Dibamus dalaiensis (New Species) | Cambodia |
These lizards are generally blind, and they live in dark, underground environments.
There are several other families of legless lizards with distinct species, including:
| Family | Common Names | Notable Species |
|---|---|---|
| Pygopodidae | Snake Lizards, Flap-footed Lizards | Burton's Legless Lizard, Striped Legless Lizard |
| Skinks | Legless Skinks | Fitzsimon's Legless Skink, Coastal Legless Skink |
| Cordylidae | Snake Lizards | Cape Snake Lizard, Large-scale Snake Lizard, Transvaal Snake Lizard |
These families are primarily found in regions like Australia, South Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.
animal tags： legless lizard
you may also like
The southern hognose snake, known for its distinctive upturned snout, is one of the most fascinating snake species in North America. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, this snake has unique traits and behaviors that make it a standout. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need...
Dogs are one of the most beloved pets worldwide, and watching them grow from playful puppies to mature adult dogs is a beautiful experience for any pet owner. In this article, we’ll explore the stages of a dog’s growth, from their early puppy days to their adult life, providing insights into their...
Bull Ants are a type of large ant species that live in Australia and some other areas. They are also called bull ants. The following is an introduction to the detailed information and living habits of bull ants:Species characteristics and classification:scientific name:The scientific name bull ant u...
In the morning, the science popularization staff of Banna Botanical Garden discovered that the grass in the middle of the pool in front of the museum was shaking. When they approached the edge of the pool, they found a big bamboo rat hiding in the grass, staring around with frightened little...
The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) is one of the most fascinating amphibians found in the arid regions of southern Africa. Known for its distinctive appearance, peculiar vocalizations, and adaptation to harsh environments, the desert rain frog has captivated researchers and nature enthusiasts...
If you have watched the movie "Rio", you will definitely have an impression of the army of monkey thieves in it: the monkey uses the stolen gold watch as a belt to pretend to be rich. This scene graphically illustrates the size of the marmoset. The homeland of marmosets is the forests of nort...
Animals have evolved different types of teeth based on their diets. While herbivores have flat teeth for grinding plants and carnivores have sharp teeth for tearing flesh, modern birds lack teeth altogether. However, some birds have features that resemble teeth:1. DinosaursModern birds evolved from...
The egret is a common large wading bird belonging to the family Heronidae. They are commonly found in wetlands and coastal areas around the world. Here are detailed information about egrets and their living habits: Appearance features Body size: Egrets are relat...
Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
