This Glass Lizard isn't a snake at all! It's a legless lizard.

DESCRIPTION: The Glass Lizard looks a lot like a snake. It's got a yellow belly, and green back with black lines. It has a more lizard-like face, and eyelids.

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Glass Lizard Is it a lizard or a snake?

When one sees a creature with a long slender body, no legs, scaly skin, and gets around by crawling on the ground, one immediately dubs that creature a snake.

However there is another creature of that same description that may throw some for a loop. This unique creature is called a glass lizard. Even though it is also known as a glass snake, it isn’t really a snake at all, it’s actually a lizard. What distinguishes this animal from its slithery cousin? The glass lizard has movable eyelids, designated ear openings, and its body contains smaller scales than that of a snake. Its body is also much more inflexible than a snake’s body, and it cannot unhinge its jaw when feeding, like a snake can.

In addition, should a predator grab the glass lizard by the tail, the lizard has the ability to break off a piece of its tail (a part of its body that makes up more than 20 percent of its body mass) – thereby allowing the lizard to escape the predator. It can grow its tail back; however it’s a long and painful process – very often lasting a number of years.

Many species of glass lizard are found all over the world, however the eastern glass lizard is primarily found in the southeastern portion of the United States – particularly Florida – and the northeastern portion of the Mississippi valley. Trying to spot them in the wild can be difficult as they are a secluded animal, wishing only to keep to themselves. However it is possible to keep them in captivity. They have all of the temperature, food and water, and bedding requirements of any snake; under the right conditions, it can thrive quite nicely under the care of its human.

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Running a wildlife removal business in the state of Florida gives me the chance to see all kinds of interesting snakes! Florida has about 45 species of snake, and I've seen 29 of them so far. I've always got my eye out for new species, and I love spotting rare snakes in Florida. I also have a thing for venomous snakes - they're not too common in FL, so I always enjoy the chance to see a poisonous serpent. I really like snakes, and I've never hurt or killed one. They're an important part of the ecosystem, and often persecuted. Still, if you don't want snakes in your house or on your property, and judging from the number of phone calls I receive regarding snake problems, you don't, then give me or a local snake expert in your area a call, and we can remove the snakes from your property for you. I use many snake control methods - from snake traps, to snake repellents, to habitat modification, but most of all, good old-fashioned capture and removal. If you want to learn more, please read my How To Get Rid of Snakes page.

AAAnimal Control is a privately owned wildlife removal and pest control business, located in Orlando Florida. I deal strictly with wild animals including snakes inside houses. I am not an extermination company, but a critter removal and control specialist. The above photos are some of the many that I've taken in the field over my years of work. Please email me if you have any questions about the above photographs, or any questions about wildlife problems or Florida snake removal issues.

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Wildlife Photographs by David     Email me with questions: david@aaanimalcontrol.com     Residential & Commercial     Licensed & Insured