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Legless lizard Facts

Legless lizard Facts
Legless lizard is a member of the group that includes both lizards without legs and those that posses reduced limbs. There are 80 different species of legless lizards that can be found mostly in North America. Several species live in Europe, Asia and Australia. Legless lizards inhabit various and usually dry habitats such as rocky hillsides, lowland grasslands, woodlands, prairies… They can survive on different altitudes, from the sea level to the altitude of 5100 feet. Legless lizards are mostly threatened by habitat loss. Also, thousands of legless lizards end up killed each year because people confuse them with snakes (they are killed out of fear). Certain species of legless lizards are listed as endangered.
Interesting Legless lizard Facts:
Size of legless lizard depends on the species. Largest legless lizards can reach 2 to 3 feet in length (including the tail) and 11 to 21 ounces in weight. Males are usually larger. Tail of legless lizard is two times longer than the body.
Back side of the legless lizards is usually brown in color. Stripes and spots of various colors can be seen in certain species. They ensure blending with environment and provide camouflage.
Legless lizards look like snakes but they differ in several characteristics. Unlike snakes, legless lizards have moveable eyelids, scales on the belly and ability to reject the tail in the case of danger.
Certain species of legless lizards have limbs but they belong to the group of legless lizards because they share similarities in the anatomy of the skull, teeth and tongue.
Legless lizards have remnants of hip bones and tips of the hind legs but they cannot walk. They crawl.
Legless lizards are carnivores (meat-eaters). Their diet consists of snails, insects, small mammals and birds.
People benefit from legless lizards because they keep pests (various insects) under control.
Legless lizards are diurnal and crepuscular animals (active during the day and at dusk).
Main predators of legless lizards are large reptiles, birds, wild cats and foxes.
Glass lizard is a species of legless lizard that is able to reject and split its tail in several pieces when threatened. Wiggling pieces of tail will confuse the predator and give glass lizard opportunity to escape.
Mating season of legless lizards takes place in spring and summer.
50% of legless lizard species lay eggs while other half gives birth to live babies.
Female prepares nest for 6 to 10 eggs. Eggs are elongated and leathery (have soft shell).
Mother guards the nest, but she leaves the babies as soon as they hatch. Young legless lizards need to fend for themselves from the moment of birth.
Legless lizards can survive 20 years in the wild and up to 38 years in captivity.


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