Where is the European Legless Lizard from?

 

They are found throughout Southeastern Europe and Central Asia.

 

– Can you find where they are from on a map? Can you find on a map where you live too?

 

What makes a legless lizard different from a snake?

 

It is often mistaken for a snake because it has no legs. If you look carefully at its head you will see some of the differences. Unlike snakes they have eyelids, ear openings, and have a shorter fleshy, forked tongue. They also have a long groove that runs along each side of the body. These long grooves, allow the back and belly to move apart. This allows their body to expand when breathing, after a large meal, or when a female is carrying eggs.

 

-Did you know that we have at least 5 species of legless lizards here in California?

 

How big do they get?

 

Adults average 2-3 feet in length. “Legolas” is currently is 2 feet 9 inches long.

 

– Did you know that its tail makes up over half its total length?

 

How do they defend themselves?

 

Legless lizards have the ability to detach their tail when threatened by a predator, which is its main defensive mechanism. It leaves the tail behind, still wiggling, to distract its predator, which allows it to get away.

 

What do European Legless Lizards eat?

 

In the wild, they eat insects, snails, slugs, small mammals, fledgling birds, and even eggs. Here at Kidspace “Legolas” is fed a variety of insects and small mice.

 

How long do they live?

 

It is unknown how long they live in the wild, but the average lifespan in captivity is 20 years.

 

Thank you for learning a little more about our European Legless Lizard! Watch our Ask Kidspace vlog where Miguel answers one of your questions about Legolas. Visit our Kidspace-At-Home Virtual Learning & Play Resources page for more!