The California Legless Lizard (Anniella pulchra) is a small, limbless lizard found in coastal regions of California and Baja California. They belong to the family Anniellidae, which are sometimes referred to as "worm lizards" due to their elongated bodies and lack of visible limbs.
Physical Characteristics:
- Size: California Legless Lizards are typically 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in length, with the females slightly larger than the males.
- Body: Their bodies are cylindrical and covered with smooth scales.
- Head: Their heads are small with small eyes and no external ear openings.
- Color: They vary in color from light brown to reddish-brown, with a darker stripe that runs down the middle of their backs. Their sides are often yellow or orange.
Habitat and Distribution:
California Legless Lizards are found in a variety of habitats including coastal sand dunes, grasslands, chaparral, and even some suburban areas. They prefer habitats with loose soil or sandy substrates where they can burrow and hide.
Behavior:
- Nocturnal: These lizards are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night.
- Burrowers: They spend much of their time underground in burrows that they create.
- Solitary: California Legless Lizards are generally solitary creatures, although they may occasionally be found in small groups.
- Diet: They feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates that they find while foraging in the soil or under rocks.
Conservation Status:
- Endangered: The California Legless Lizard is considered a "Species of Special Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
- Threats: Their main threats include destruction of their habitats for development and agriculture, as well as changes in soil moisture levels.