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 Slender Glass Lizard is generally golden or yellow in color, with white markings on some dorsal scales, dark stripes and/or speckling below the side grooves. Slender glass lizards also have a bold dorsolateral 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

• Golden/tan, legless body with ear openings, dark dorsal line on back
• Legless

Subspecies Present:

Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudis)

Habitat

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)