Phillip's Natural World: Glass Lizard

The glass lizards or glass snakes, genus Ophisaurus, are a group of reptiles that resemble snakes, but are actually lizards. Although most species have no legs, their head shape and the fact that they have movable eyelids and external ear openings make it obvious that they are lizards. A few species have very small stub-like legs near the rear vent. These animals are also known as Glass Snakes or Jointed Snakes. They reach lengths of up to 4 feet (1.2 m), but approximately two-thirds of this is the tail. Glass lizards feed mainly on insects.

Their common name comes from the fact that they are easily broken: like many lizards, they have the ability to deter predation by dropping off part of the tail which can break into several pieces, like glass. The tail remains mobile, while the lizard becomes motionless, distracting the predator, and allowing eventual escape. This serious loss of body mass requires a considerable effort to replace, and the new tail is usually smaller in size than the original.

This specimen remained motionless for some time, allowing me to get some nice close ups as he warmed himself on one of the garden paths. He is likely the Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis).

The path blocks are 18" square, to give some perspective of this guy's size.

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A body floats in Guanabara Bay in June, where Olympic Swimmers and sailors will be competing the first week of August.

Photo: ©Lalo de Almelda for the New York Times

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