There are over 200 species of legless lizards in the world, often called glass lizards due to their fragile and easily broken bodies. These lizards possess an extraordinary survival mechanism: when threatened, they 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 fascinating legless lizard species and their unique characteristics.
1. Ophisaurus: A slender glass lizard
The genus *Ophisaurus * includes several legless lizards found in the United States and other regions. These slender glass lizards are often called so because of their glassy appearance. Some common species in this genus include:
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Eastern Slender Glass Lizard | United States (Eastern Region) |
| Western Slender Glass Lizard | United States (Western Region) |
| Island Glass Lizard | Various island habitats |
| Mimicry Glass Lizard | USA |
| Pink Glass Lizard | Vietnam |
| Flat-necked glass lizard | Mexico |
| Taiwan Glass Lizard | Taiwan |
| Hainan Island Glass Lizard | China |
2. Bachia: Degenerate limb lizard
The genus * Bachia* includes legless lizards, although some species retain vestigial limbs —small, nonfunctional limbs that aid in mating but not in locomotion. Below are some species of *Bachia *:
| type | 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 |
3. Anniella: Legless lizards of California and Baja California
In California , there are two species of legless lizards belonging to the genus *Anniella* . These include the California legless lizard and the Baja California legless lizard . The main characteristics of these lizards include:
| type | Common name | Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| California legless lizard | Silver legless lizard, black legless lizard | California |
| Baja California legless lizard | – | Baja California |
The California legless lizard is known for its grayish-silver body and smooth scales , while the Baja California legless lizard typically has a yellow belly and darker epithelium .
4. Dibamus and Anelytropsis: blind lizards
The genera *Dibamus* and *Anelytropsis * are home to species commonly known as blind skinks or blind lizards , primarily found in dense rainforests and certain specific areas:
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Anelytropsis papillosus | Northeast Mexico |
| Dibamus dalaiensis (new species) | Cambodia |
These lizards are generally blind and live in dark underground environments.
5. Other well-known legless lizard families
There are several other legless lizard families, which include different species, including:
| division | Common name | Famous species |
|---|---|---|
| Pygopodidae | Snake lizard, bipedal lizard | Burton's Legless Lizard, Striped Legless Lizard |
| Skink | Legless skink | Fitzsimon legless skink, coastal legless skink |
| Lizard family | snake lizard | Cape snake lizard, large snake lizard, Transvaal snake lizard |
These families are mainly distributed in parts of Australia , South Africa , and Southeast Asia .
