In this exciting ID guide, readers will discover three legless lizards found in Alabama. While some may think that legless lizards are simply snakes, these reptiles actually come from a different branch of the reptile tree. The key to identifying a legless lizard is to look at their eyes – legless lizards have movable eyelids, unlike snakes. The three legless lizards discussed in this guide are the Slender Glass Lizard, the Eastern Glass Lizard, and the Mimic Glass Lizard. Each lizard is characterized by its unique features and habitat preferences, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of these fascinating creatures found in Alabama.
3 LEGLESS Lizards Found in Alabama! (ID Guide)
“How many LEGLESS lizards are there in Alabama?” You might be asking yourself, isn’t a legless lizard just a snake? And you aren’t far off! Scientifically speaking, legless lizards come from a different branch of the reptile tree than snakes. But for the rest of us, we need to look at their eyes! Legless lizards have MOVABLE eyelids, which are a dead giveaway that you have found one. Snakes, on the other hand, have see-through membranes that protect their eyes. Today, you’ll learn the 3 kinds of LEGLESS lizards in Alabama.
Slender Glass Lizard Ophisaurus attenuatus
Identifying Characteristics
The Slender Glass Lizard, also known as Ophisaurus attenuatus, can grow from 22 to 47 inches long. They are generally brown to black in color, with whitish markings in the middle of their scales. Younger individuals have dark stripes along their back and sides, while older individuals develop faint crossbands.
Habitat
Slender Glass Lizards occupy dry grasslands and open forests in Alabama. They can often be found in animal burrows or piles of debris.
Diet
They primarily feed on insects, spiders, small rodents, and small lizards. Unlike snakes, they do not have flexible jaws, so they can only consume prey smaller than their head.
Subspecies
There are two subspecies of the Slender Glass Lizard. The Western Slender Glass Lizard (O. attenuatus attenuatus) has a shorter tail, while the Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (O. attenuatus longicaudus) has a longer tail.
Eastern Glass Lizard Ophisaurus ventralis
Identifying Characteristics
The Eastern Glass Lizard, or Ophisaurus ventralis, can reach lengths of 18 to 43 inches. They have a greenish to black coloring, with a light yellow or tan belly. Their back is adorned with light-colored dots or dashes that form irregular rows, and they do not have any stripes.
Habitat
Eastern Glass Lizards thrive in various habitats in southern Alabama, including grasslands, pine forests, tropical hardwood groves, and wet meadows.
Diet
They primarily prey on insects and other invertebrates. They are versatile foragers, hunting for food both above ground and below.
Burrowing Behavior
While Eastern Glass Lizards are capable of creating their own burrows, they more commonly inhabit the burrows of other animals. It is not uncommon to find them in the burrows of small rodents like mice and voles, as well as other snakes and lizards.
Mimic Glass Lizard Ophisaurus mimicus
Identifying Characteristics
The Mimic Glass Lizard, known as Ophisaurus mimicus, is smaller compared to other glass lizards, measuring between 15 to 26 inches in length. They have a brown to tan coloration, with a dark middle stripe that fades toward the tail.
Habitat
Mimic Glass Lizards prefer pine forests and grasslands as their habitat.
Predators
Mimic Glass Lizards are relatively rare to find in Alabama. Their smaller size and darker coloration make them hard to spot. While not much is known about this species, it is confirmed that the Black Racer snake preys upon them in the same habitat.
Identifying Characteristics
When it comes to identifying legless lizards, there are distinct characteristics to look for.
Slender Glass Lizard
Slender Glass Lizards can grow between 22 to 47 inches long. They have a brown to black coloring with whitish markings in the middle of their scales. Younger individuals have dark stripes along their back and sides, while older individuals develop faint crossbands.
Eastern Glass Lizard
Eastern Glass Lizards measure between 18 to 43 inches in length. They have a greenish to black coloring, with light-colored dots or dashes forming irregular rows on the back.
Mimic Glass Lizard
Mimic Glass Lizards are smaller in size, with lengths ranging from 15 to 26 inches. They have a brown to tan coloration with a dark middle stripe that fades toward the tail.
Habitat and Diet
Understanding the habitat and diet of legless lizards is crucial to their identification.
Slender Glass Lizard
Slender Glass Lizards inhabit dry grasslands and open forests. They can often be found in animal burrows or piles of debris. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, small rodents, and small lizards.
Eastern Glass Lizard
Eastern Glass Lizards thrive in various habitats, such as grasslands, pine forests, tropical hardwood groves, and wet meadows. They feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates and are capable of foraging for food both above ground and below.
Mimic Glass Lizard
Mimic Glass Lizards prefer pine forests and grasslands as their habitat. However, due to their elusive nature, not much is known about their specific diet.
Subspecies
There is a subspecies of the Slender Glass Lizard known as the Western Slender Glass Lizard (O. attenuatus attenuatus). It has a shorter tail compared to the Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (O. attenuatus longicaudus), which has a longer tail.
Burrowing Behavior
The Eastern Glass Lizard is known for its burrowing behavior. While they can construct their own burrows, they more commonly utilize the burrows of other animals, such as small rodents, snakes, and other lizards.
Predators
Mimic Glass Lizards have relatively few known predators in Alabama. However, the Black Racer snake preys upon them in the same pine forest and grassland habitats.
Additional Resources
If you need further assistance in identifying legless lizards, a helpful resource is the field guide called “Peterson Field Guides to Reptiles and Amphibians.” It provides detailed information and illustrations that can aid in identification.
In conclusion, Alabama is home to three distinct legless lizards: the Slender Glass Lizard, the Eastern Glass Lizard, and the Mimic Glass Lizard. Each species has its own unique identifying characteristics, habitat preferences, and dietary habits. While legless lizards may resemble snakes at first glance, their movable eyelids distinguish them from their slithery counterparts. So, the next time you come across a legless lizard in Alabama, take a moment to appreciate its unique qualities and adaptability in the wild.