Description

While similar in appearance to snakes, stark differences in legless lizards are observed upon closer inspection. Glass or legless lizards have eyelids, ear canals, and noticeable folds along the sides. The Eastern Glass lizard is generally brown or greenish in color, with white markings on some dorsal scales, dark stripes and/or speckling below the side grooves. Eastern Glass Lizards also have no line down the back. Members of Genus Ophisaurus are usually found in dry forest or grassy habitats. They are generally found throughout the state of Mississippi beyond the Mississippi River drainage region in the west.

Identifying Traits

• Greenish or brown body
• No dark marks below groove or on back (separates from slender glass lizard)

Habitat

Sandhills, dry grasslands and forests

Behavior

Easily detaches its tail as a defensive maneuver and will thrash when grabbed

Diet

Various invertebrates like spiders, grasshoppers, crickets (LeClere & Rouw, 2013)