
Eastern Glass Lizard
Uncover the legless lizard that glides through grasslands!

The Basics
Scientific Name
Ophisaurus ventralis
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Location
North America
Average size
18 to 43 inches long
diet
Insects, spiders, snails, small rodents
lifespan
10 years
Let’s Explore
Overview
The Eastern Glass Lizard is a unique reptile that truly looks like a snake but has absolutely no legs! This cool creature belongs to the family Anguidae and can be found slithering through North America, making it one of the rare lizard species without limbs.
These lizards can grow quite a bit, measuring on average between 46 to 109 centimeters long, or about 18 to 43 inches. With such long, slender bodies, they can sneak around without being easily spotted, making them masters of disguise in their natural habitats.
The Eastern Glass Lizard has a mixed diet that includes insects, spiders, snails, and even small rodents. They might be small, but their appetites are huge!
They have a lifespan of up to 10 years, which is quite impressive for such a slippery reptile. A longer life means more time for adventures where they can bask in the sun or scurry away from curious critters.
One of the most fascinating things about the Eastern Glass Lizard is that it can lose its tail when scared or threatened. This is a clever safety trick called autotomy. The tail will eventually grow back, but it might have a different shape than the original.
Where can you find a Eastern Glass Lizard in the wild?
What does a Eastern Glass Lizard eat?
How big can a Eastern Glass Lizard grow?
How long does a Eastern Glass Lizard typically live?
What is the conservation status of the Eastern Glass Lizard?
What are the main threats to the Eastern Glass Lizard?
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