Ophisaurus ventralis

Eastern Glass Lizard

Florida Distribution: entire state.

Identification: up to 108 cm. External ear openings and moveable eyelids help to quickly identify this as a lizard and not a snake. Legless. Lateral groove.

These animals spend much of their time below ground. This picture was taken during release.

Their tails break off easily and can be autotomized at will so they have to be handled with care. This tail is growing back. Specimens with full tails are rare.

The lateral groove is visible in the picture above and below. This allows their otherwise stiff body to expand when the lungs inflate.

Close up of head.