FAQs
Lizards have external ear openings and moveable eyelids, whereas snakes do not. These lizards take advantage of this mimicry and have even been seen curling up like a snake, which wards off potential predators. Another difference between a snake and a legless lizard is the shape of the tongue.
How can you tell a legless lizard from a snake? ›
While looking right at the eyes of the legless lizard, you can see that they have eye lids. Kind of like you and me! Snakes, however, do not have eye lids.
Can you have a legless lizard as a pet? ›
Instead, they're creatures called legless lizards. Although snakes and legless lizards resemble one another, they have entirely different evolutionary histories. Some species of legless lizards are great pets. Just make sure to do your research before bringing one home.
What lizard is often mistaken for a snake? ›
The Burton's Legless Lizard is often mistaken for a snake at first glance. However, the Burton's Legless Lizard is actually more closely related to geckos than to snakes. A Burton's Legless Lizard has a special hinge across its skull that allows it to encircle its prey.
What is a ghost snake? ›
Madagascarophis lolo is a species of snake endemic to Madagascar. It is colloquially referred to as the ghost snake due to its strikingly pale coloration. It was initially found inside a lime rock formation in 2016.
What reptile looks like a snake but isn t? ›
The slender glass lizard is one of two lizards living in Will County, but no one would blame you if you confused the glass lizard for a snake. It is legless, after all, and it gets around just like a snake does.
What is the lifespan of a legless lizard? ›
Range: The European Legless Lizard is native to far eastern Europe and western Eurasia. Diet: They are carnivores. They eat snails, slugs, insects, eggs and occasionally very small mammals and birds. Lifespan: They live 30 years in the wild and up to 50 in human care.
Can you pick up a legless lizard? ›
Sheltopusiks don't typically care to be handled too often and tail shedding could result if stressed.
What is a garden lizard that looks like a snake? ›
Most of the skinks found in California belong to one species — Gilbert's Skink (Plestiodon gilberti) which was first described by a herpetologist named John Van Denburgh in 1896 and named for noted ichthyologist Charles Henry Gilbert, one of the founding professors of Stanford University and once the world's leading ...
What is a tiny lizard that looks like a snake? ›
Although glass lizards look like snakes and are sometimes called "glass snakes," there are quick ways to tell them from true snakes. The eyes are protected by movable eyelids; there is an ear opening on either side of the head; and a lateral (side) groove runs down the entire length of the body.
Skinks are considered to be territorial and often are seen standing in front of or "guarding" their nest area. If a nest is nearby, one can expect to see 10-30 lizards within the period of a month. In parts of the southern United States, nests are commonly found in houses and apartments, especially along the coast.
What looks similar to a snake? ›
Ranging from 18 to 43 inches in length, “glass lizards are long, slender, legless lizards that superficially resemble snakes. They differ from snakes, though, in that they have movable eyelids, external ear openings, and inflexible jaws.
What is the snake that looks like another snake? ›
Scarlet kingsnakes have a tricolored pattern of black, red, white, and various shades of yellow bands that appear to mimic the venomous coral snake in a form of Batesian mimicry.
Which animal looks like a snake? ›
Lizards are part of a group of animals known as reptiles. They are most closely related to snakes. In fact, some lizards, called sheltopusiks, look like snakes because they have no legs! Many lizards today resemble the ancient reptiles of the dinosaur era.
What animal mimics a snake? ›
The hawkmoth caterpillar can inflate a serpent head, the mimic octopus has eight limbs that each double as sea snakes, and burrowing owls are known to produce a long, hissing noise. Heck, there are even snakes that imitate snakes.
Theeastern glass lizard(Ophisaurus ventralis) is aspeciesoflegless lizardin thefamilyAnguidaeand the longest and heaviest species of glass lizards in the genus Ophisaurus,[5]endemicto theSoutheastern United States. The streamlined, legless species is often confused withsnakes. Glass lizards differ from snakes as they possess a moveable eyelid and an external ear opening, both of which are absent in snakes. Snakes also have flexible jaws while lizards do not.[5]Ventraliscomes from the Latin “venter” meaning belly; this is in reference to the snake-like movement.[6] Eastern glass lizards are a common species near wetlands and moist soils.[11] [12]They have also been found in tidal areas such as coastal dunes because they are resistant to salty conditions.[13]Eastern glass lizards are most active during the day and can be found foraging in open habitats but also like to take refuge beneath debris.[1 (Wikipedia)
