Legless lizard: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

Legless lizard

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	Legless lizard may refer to any of several groups of lizard Lizard Lizards are a large and widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 5,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains.... s which have independently lost limbs or reduced them to the point of being of no use in locomotion. It is the common name for the family Pygopodidae Pygopodidae Pygopodidae is a family of legless lizards related to the geckos. They have unusually long, slender, bodies, giving them a strong resemblance to snakes.... , but often refers to other groups, such as limbless anguids Anguidae The Anguidae is a large and diverse family of lizards native to the northern hemisphere. The group includes the slowworms, glass lizards, and alligator lizards, among others.... , depending upon the region of the world. These lizards are often distinguishable from snakes on the basis of one or more of the following characteristics: possessing eyelids, possessing external ear openings, lack of broad belly scales, and/or a very long tail (while snakes have a long body and short tail). Many families of lizards have independently evolved limblessness Limbless vertebrates Many vertebrates have evolved limbless forms. Reptiles have on a number of occasions evolved into limbless forms - snakes, amphisbaenia, and legless lizards .... or greatly reduced limbs (which are presumably non-functional in locomotion), including the following examples: Anguidae Anguidae The Anguidae is a large and diverse family of lizards native to the northern hemisphere. The group includes the slowworms, glass lizards, and alligator lizards, among others.... – many limbless species, including genera Ophisaurus and Anguis Anguis Although they are lizards, slow worms have lost their limbs completely and are often mistaken for snakes. Slow-worms typically grow to between 40 and 50cm, with the females slightly larger than the males.... . Cordylidae Cordylidae Cordylidae is a family of mid-sized lizards that inhabit arid and semi-arid regions in Madagascar and eastern Africa. T They are commonly known as the Spinytail lizards or Girdle-tailed lizards.... – genus Chamaesaura Chamaesaura The *Chamaesaura, also known as Grass Lizards, are a genus of legless lizards from southern and eastern Africa. The limbs are reduced to small spikes.... . Pygopodidae Pygopodidae Pygopodidae* is a family of legless lizards related to the geckos. They have unusually long, slender, bodies, giving them a strong resemblance to snakes.... – members of the family are named Legless lizards due to their absent forelimbs and greatly reduced hindlimbs. These are small flaps without digits, hence the common name "flap-footed lizards". Dibamidae Dibamidae Dibamidae is a Family of legless lizards found in tropical forests. Relatively little is known about the dibamid lizards, which are native to Mexico, SE Asia, Indonesia, the Philippine Islands and western New Guinea.... – all members of the family are limbless burrowers which are nearly or completely blind. Anniellidae – all members of the family are limbless. Gymnophthalmidae Gymnophthalmidae Gymnophthalmidae is a family of lizards, sometimes known as spectacled lizards or microteiids. They are called 'spectacled' because of their transparent lower eyelids, so they can still see with closed eyes.... – Many limbless and nearly-limbless species. Scincidae – Many limbless and nearly-limbless species. Gerrhosauridae Gerrhosauridae The Gerrhosauridae is a family of lizards native to Africa and Madagascar. Also known as plated lizards, they live in a range of habitats, from rocky crevices to sand dunes.... – Several limbless or reduced-limbed species.