A legless lizard often mistaken for a snake. Distinguished by ear openings and movable eyelids (snakes have neither). Brittle tail can shatter into pieces.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The slender glass lizard is a legless lizard in the glass lizard subfamily (Anguinae). The species is endemic to the United States. Two subspecies are recognized. The lizard was originally believed to be a subspecies of the eastern glass lizard. Their name comes from their easily broken tail which they can break off themselves without ever being touched. It is difficult to find a specimen with an undamaged tail. The lizard eats a variety of insects and small animals, including smaller lizards. Snakes and other animals are known to prey on the species. Humans have a part in destroying their environment and killing their food supply with insecticides. The lizard is considered to be a least-concern species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), though it is vulnerable in Iowa and endangered in Wisconsin. The streamlined, legless species is often confused with snakes. Glass Lizards, however, differ from snakes as they possess a moveable eyelid, which is absent in snakes. Another way to distinguish glass lizards from snakes is the presence of an external ear opening, which are absent in snakes.
Source: Wikipedia — Slender glass lizard Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Long slender legless lizard; brown body with darker dorsal stripes; stiffer body than snakes; movable eyelids.
Similar species. Eastern Glass Lizard (larger; broader range). True snakes (no eyelids).
Voice. N/A.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, small lizards, small snakes, eggs.
Behavior. Legless lizard often mistaken for snake. Has movable eyelids and external ear openings (vs. snakes which lack both).
§ Range
Southeastern US
§ Habitat
Sandy areas, open woods, grasslands
§ Threats
Habitat loss, pesticide drift, road mortality.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the slender glass lizard is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Don't kill glass lizards. Skip pesticides. Maintain southeastern grasslands.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Slender glass lizard
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Ophisaurus attenuatus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 15078
- iNaturalist · taxon 36531
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Ophisaurus attenuatus
§ Sources cited
- Davidson College Department of Biology
- IUCN Red List 2011
