A very large lizard and the largest of the family Anguidae, the Giant
Legless Lizard averages between two and three feet (.6 to .9 meters) in
length and can reach as long as four feet. They usually weigh between 11
and 21 ounces, 300 to 600 grams. The Legless Lizard, as the name would
suggest, does not have developed legs and to the naked eye resembles a
snake. However, they do have free-floating hipbones and the nubs of
underdeveloped leg bones. They also have movable eyelids, belly scales,
and the ability to break off their tail - all characteristics snakes do
not share. They have powerful jaws and teeth. Within the family
Anguidae, there are animals that have fully developed limbs as well as
those, like the Giant Legless Lizard, that do not.
The largest member of the family Anguidae, the Giant Legless Lizard is a unique and essential member of the animal kingdom. It is also known as the Glass Lizard, European Glass Lizard or European Legless Lizard. Giant Legless Lizards have several unique characteristics, which will be discussed. The Giant Legless Lizard can most often be found in dry rocky areas. They especially enjoy making their homes on rocky hillsides, stone walls, or stone piles. The Giant Legless Lizard seems to be most active after it rains. They are diurnal reptiles, meaning they hunt during the day, though they are also active at others times of the day. They do all of their hunting on the ground. The Giant Legless Lizard enjoys a diet of small mammals, bird eggs, insects, and earthworms. One of the favorite foods of the Giant Legless Lizard is a hard-shelled snail, which their blunt, broad teeth and powerful jaws help them chew.Giant Legless Lizards are essential to the web that is the natural world because they eat pests, which are very destructive to crops. However, because of human predation and capture, the Giant Legless Lizard is considered fairly rare. Another common name for the Giant Legless Lizard is the "Glass Lizard". This name most likely stems from a legend that says that if the Giant Legless Lizard is shaken, it will break into thousands of pieces, like glass, hence the name. While this legend has no basis in fact, it is true that if alarmed, the lizard can shed its tail, which will then break into many pieces. This is primarily a defense mechanism: the pieces of tail continue wiggling and it is very difficult to tell what's lizard and what's tail. For this reason this species should not be handled regularly like some other captive reptiles. The Giant Legless Lizard, although it often reaches an early demise in the wild, can live up to 54 years in captivity.
For more details contact www.freshmarine.com
The largest member of the family Anguidae, the Giant Legless Lizard is a unique and essential member of the animal kingdom. It is also known as the Glass Lizard, European Glass Lizard or European Legless Lizard. Giant Legless Lizards have several unique characteristics, which will be discussed. The Giant Legless Lizard can most often be found in dry rocky areas. They especially enjoy making their homes on rocky hillsides, stone walls, or stone piles. The Giant Legless Lizard seems to be most active after it rains. They are diurnal reptiles, meaning they hunt during the day, though they are also active at others times of the day. They do all of their hunting on the ground. The Giant Legless Lizard enjoys a diet of small mammals, bird eggs, insects, and earthworms. One of the favorite foods of the Giant Legless Lizard is a hard-shelled snail, which their blunt, broad teeth and powerful jaws help them chew.Giant Legless Lizards are essential to the web that is the natural world because they eat pests, which are very destructive to crops. However, because of human predation and capture, the Giant Legless Lizard is considered fairly rare. Another common name for the Giant Legless Lizard is the "Glass Lizard". This name most likely stems from a legend that says that if the Giant Legless Lizard is shaken, it will break into thousands of pieces, like glass, hence the name. While this legend has no basis in fact, it is true that if alarmed, the lizard can shed its tail, which will then break into many pieces. This is primarily a defense mechanism: the pieces of tail continue wiggling and it is very difficult to tell what's lizard and what's tail. For this reason this species should not be handled regularly like some other captive reptiles. The Giant Legless Lizard, although it often reaches an early demise in the wild, can live up to 54 years in captivity.
For more details contact www.freshmarine.com
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