Legless lizards are fascinating reptiles that often get mistaken for snakes due to their elongated, limbless bodies. However, unlike snakes, legless lizards have external ear openings, movable eyelids, and sometimes even vestigial limb remnants. These unique adaptations allow them to thrive in a variety of habitats, from grasslands and forests to deserts and underground burrows.
There are many species of legless lizards found across the world, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors. Some, like the European Glass Lizard, can grow up to 4 feet long, while others, like the California Legless Lizard, are expert burrowers that spend most of their lives underground. Despite their similarities to snakes, legless lizards belong to entirely different reptilian families and have evolved their limbless form independently.
In this guide, we’ll explore 12 different species of legless lizards, highlighting their unique features, habitats, and identification tips. Whether you’re a reptile enthusiast or simply curious about these snake-like creatures, this list will help you better understand and distinguish legless lizards from their serpentine lookalikes.
Different Types of Legless Lizards
European Glass Lizard (Pseudopus apodus)
Also known as the “Sheltopusik” or “Glass Snake,” the European Glass Lizard is a legless reptile that can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length. Unlike snakes, it has visible lateral grooves along its rigid body and possesses small, nonfunctional remnants of hind limbs. Its scales are smooth and glossy, giving it a sleek appearance. This lizard primarily feeds on insects, snails, and small vertebrates.
The European Glass Lizard is native to southeastern Europe and Central Asia, inhabiting dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and open woodlands. It prefers warm climates and is often found hiding under rocks or in burrows during the hottest parts of the day. Despite its snake-like appearance, it has movable eyelids and external ear openings, distinguishing it from true snakes.
Slender Glass Lizards (Ophisaurus spp.)
Slender Glass Lizards are a group of legless lizards native to North America, including species like the Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) and the Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis). They have long, slender bodies covered in shiny scales and can grow up to 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) in length. One of their key defense mechanisms is tail autotomy—the ability to detach their tails when threatened, which helps them escape predators.
These lizards are commonly found in sandy or grassy habitats, including pine forests, wetlands, and prairies. They primarily feed on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. Despite their legless form, they are excellent burrowers and can quickly disappear into loose soil or vegetation when disturbed.
Burton’s Legless Lizard (Lialis burtonis)
Burton’s Legless Lizard is a slender, snake-like reptile found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It has an elongated body with a pointed, wedge-shaped snout, which helps it capture prey efficiently. Unlike other legless lizards, Burton’s Legless Lizard specializes in eating other lizards, using its sharp, recurved teeth to grasp and subdue its prey.
This species inhabits a wide range of environments, from arid deserts to tropical woodlands and grasslands. It is a nocturnal hunter, relying on stealth and speed to ambush its prey. Unlike snakes, it has external ear openings and movable eyelids, which are key characteristics of legless lizards.
Western Hooded Scaly-Foot (Pygopus nigriceps)
The Western Hooded Scaly-Foot is a member of the Pygopodidae family, which includes legless lizards native to Australia. It has a long, snake-like body with small, flap-like remnants of hind limbs. One of its most distinctive behaviors is its loud defensive hissing when threatened, which can startle predators and deter attacks.
This species is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions, including dry woodlands and scrublands. It primarily feeds on insects, spiders, and small vertebrates. Unlike snakes, it has visible ear openings and is more closely related to geckos than to true serpents.
Common Scaly-Foot (Pygopus lepidopodus)
The Common Scaly-Foot is another legless lizard native to Australia, often mistaken for a snake due to its elongated body. However, it differs from snakes by having movable eyelids and external ear openings. Its scales are smooth and glossy, and it can reach lengths of up to 2.5 feet (0.75 meters).
This species inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and sandy regions. It primarily feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally soft fruits. The Common Scaly-Foot is a nocturnal species, spending the day hidden under rocks or logs and emerging at night to hunt for food.
Mimic Glass Lizard (Dopasia spp.)
The Mimic Glass Lizard is a legless reptile found in Southeast Asia, often mistaken for snakes due to its elongated body and smooth scales. It closely resembles the European Glass Lizard but is typically more slender and has a slightly different scale arrangement. Despite its snake-like appearance, it has external ear openings and movable eyelids, distinguishing it from true snakes.
This species inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. It is a secretive, ground-dwelling lizard that feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and other invertebrates. When threatened, it relies on rapid movements and its ability to shed its tail to escape predators.
Island Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus compressus)
The Island Glass Lizard is a small, legless lizard native to the southeastern United States, primarily found in Florida. It has a slender, elongated body with a smooth, shiny appearance. Compared to other North American glass lizards, it is relatively small, rarely exceeding 2 feet (0.6 meters) in length. Like its relatives, it can detach its tail when threatened.
This species prefers sandy and grassy habitats, often hiding under leaf litter or burrowing in loose soil. It primarily feeds on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. Due to habitat loss, its populations are declining in some areas, making conservation efforts important for its survival.
California Legless Lizard (Anniella pulchra)
Unlike most legless lizards, the California Legless Lizard is a burrowing species that thrives in loose, sandy soils. It is native to California, USA, and is uniquely adapted to life underground, using its smooth, flexible body to navigate through the soil. Unlike many other glass lizards, it has soft, unkeeled scales that allow for efficient burrowing.
This species varies in coloration, ranging from gray and brown to yellowish hues, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings. It feeds primarily on insects, such as termites and beetle larvae. Due to its subterranean lifestyle, it is rarely seen above ground, making it one of the more elusive legless lizards.
Balkan Slow Worm (Anguis graeca)
The Balkan Slow Worm is a legless lizard native to the Balkan Peninsula. It has smooth, shiny scales that distinguish it from many other glass lizards, giving it a more polished appearance. This species can regenerate its tail when attacked, a useful defense mechanism that helps it escape predators.
It inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and rocky areas, often sheltering under logs, stones, and leaf litter. The Balkan Slow Worm primarily feeds on insects, snails, and worms. It is a slow-moving species that relies on camouflage and its secretive nature to avoid detection.
Eastern Slow Worm (Anguis colchica)
The Eastern Slow Worm is found in Eastern Europe and parts of the Caucasus, resembling the Common Slow Worm but growing slightly larger. It has a smooth, cylindrical body covered in glossy scales, often in shades of brown, gray, or bronze. One of its most notable characteristics is its reproductive strategy—it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
This species is commonly found in grasslands, woodlands, and gardens, often sheltering under rocks and fallen logs. It is a slow-moving lizard that primarily feeds on soft-bodied invertebrates, such as slugs and earthworms. Despite its resemblance to a snake, it has movable eyelids and external ear openings.
Common Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)
The Common Slow Worm is one of the most widespread legless lizards in Europe and western Asia. It is often mistaken for a snake due to its long, limbless body, but it differs by having eyelids and external ear openings. This species is typically brown, gray, or copper-colored, with a smooth, glossy texture.
It inhabits gardens, woodlands, and grasslands, often seeking shelter under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. The Common Slow Worm primarily feeds on slugs, worms, and insects. It is a secretive, slow-moving lizard that relies on camouflage and its ability to drop its tail to evade predators.
