Eastern Glass Lizard
ExploreReptiles
Eastern Glass Lizard
Ophisaurus ventralis
The Eastern Glass Lizard looks like a snake but is actually a lizard! It has a long, smooth body and can lose its tail to escape from predators, which will grow back later.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Eastern Glass Lizard has a long, slender, legless body that ranges from yellowish to brown, often with faint dark stripes. It features movable eyelids, small ear openings, and a distinct lateral groove along its sides, differentiating it from a snake.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyAnguidaeGenusOphisaurus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its tail can break into many pieces, earning it the name 'glass lizard'!
Their bodies are stiff, unable to swallow prey much larger than their heads.
They have movable eyelids and ear openings, unlike most snakes.
This legless lizard is not venomous and poses no danger to people!
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Detach
Eastern Glass Lizard can shed its long, fragile tail when threatened, creating a diversion that helps them escape predators.
Ability
Auditory Awareness
Eastern Glass Lizard has tiny external ear openings that help them detect sounds, unlike most snakes which lack them.
Ability
Eye Shields
Eastern Glass Lizard has movable eyelids, allowing them to blink and protect their eyes, a feature snakes do not possess.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-108 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-15 years
- Top Speed
- 12 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 5-17
- Incubation
- 50-60 days
Diet & Feeding
They are carnivores that munch on insects, spiders, and even small lizards and rodents.
Primary Foods
- crickets
- grasshoppers
- beetles
- spiders
- snails
- small rodents
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common avian predator in its range.
eaten by
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
This snake preys on other reptiles and lizards.
eaten by
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
A versatile mammal predator of small vertebrates.
hunts
Field Cricket
Gryllus assimilis
A primary insect food source.
hunts
House Mouse
Mus musculus
Occasionally preys on small rodents.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Also known as
Glass Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a lizard, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Eastern Glass Lizard?
46-108 cm
How much does Eastern Glass Lizard weigh?
0.1-0.5 kg
How long does Eastern Glass Lizard live?
8-15 years
How fast can Eastern Glass Lizard move?
12 km/h
What does Eastern Glass Lizard eat?
They are carnivores that munch on insects, spiders, and even small lizards and rodents.
Where is Eastern Glass Lizard usually found?
Grasslands
How does Eastern Glass Lizard hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Eastern Glass Lizard lay?
5-17
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
