Legless lizard | Facts & Information

Legless lizard

The legless lizard, also known as Anguis fragilis, is a fascinating reptile species that stands out because it has no legs. Despite the absence of these limbs, the legless lizard is highly adaptable and finds its place in the diverse ecosystems it inhabits. This mysterious creature, with its elongated body and unusual appearance, provides researchers with a wealth of interesting information about species adaptation to environmental conditions.

An important aspect to mention about the legless lizard is that it is not a true lizard, but rather part of the Anguidae family, being closer to the legged lizard (Lacertidae) and the water lizard (Salamandridae). Despite its scientific name suggesting fragility, the legless lizard is not fragile at all, but rather surprisingly strong. With a body length of up to 40 centimeters, it has a slender waist and is covered in small, smooth scales.

There are numerous species of legless lizards that can be found in Europe, Asia, and North America, but we will focus on the most relevant ones for Romania. In our country, the legless lizard is known by the popular names "manz" or "the big snake" due to its long and elongated body. It can be found in various habitats such as forests, plains, marshes, and gardens, where it seeks food and finds shelter.

One of the most fascinating characteristics of the legless lizard is its ability to regenerate. If attacked by a predator or if it loses part of its tail, it can grow back through the process of regeneration. Additionally, the legless lizard has a wide mouth and strong jaws, allowing it to feed on various small insects, larvae, snails, or worms. However, the legless lizard is carnivorous, capable of hunting invertebrates to ensure its food supply.

On the other hand, the legless lizard spends most of its time hidden in the soil or under dense vegetation, thus ensuring protection against predators. This adaptation strategy provides it with perfect camouflage, making it nearly invisible when at rest. Additionally, the legless lizard is an ectothermic reptile, meaning it relies on the external environment to regulate its body temperature. Therefore, it is usually found in areas with a temperate or subtropical climate, where it can benefit from external sources of heat to maintain its metabolism.

Another interesting aspect about the legless lizard is its incredibly ethnospecific behavior. This means that each individual establishes a stable territory and aggressively prevents intruders. Each legless lizard "recognizes" its territory through chemical signs left by its paragenital glands. Moreover, this reptile can communicate through various sounds emitted by its tail. These sounds can also be heard by other nearby legless lizards, which in turn act as warning or attracting signals for potential mates.

In conclusion, the legless lizard is a fascinating and mysterious creature that successfully adapts to a variety of ecosystems. Despite having no legs, this reptile is highly agile and moves with incredible speed. Although it is difficult to find and observe in its natural habitat, the legless lizard brings diversity and interest to the fauna world in Romania. Being a clear example of adaptation to environmental conditions, this reptile is a fascinating subject of study for researchers and nature enthusiasts.