Biology:
Glass lizards are reptiles that favor snakes and bear the scientific name Genus Ophisaurus. They have eyelids that are movable and they have a uniquely shaped head that makes them easy to identify as lizards. Not to mention, they have ear openings that are external and most of the time no legs. However, there are some species that do have legs that are short and stubby like. Even though most of their length is in their tail, they can get up to four feet long. These lizards are also called jointed or glass snakes and they get their name because when it comes to breaking them, the task is quite easy.
Habitat:
Islands such as Indonesia, China, Asia, and India carry the most species. However, there has been one type of species noticed in North Africa called the Moroccan. You will find some in United States and mostly in sandy areas such as the Coastal Plains. They can be found near the tide line under debris, around wetlands and Flatwoods. These snakes can survive in a variety of habitats.
Behavior:
Glass lizards are very clever when it comes to outsmarting their predators because the moment they feel in danger, part or all of their wriggling tail breaks off to distract their predator. During this time, the glass lizard has a better chance of escaping. While the predator is left trying to devour the long tail of the glass lizard, he fails to realize that the lizard is lying motionless and eventually escapes. This is actually how they got their name. Over a period of months, the lizard’s tail is able to grow back. Yet, the tail usually is smaller when it grows back than the original. During the spring and fall, lizards are very active. However, when the winter months come in, they may cut back on eating a lot.
Diet:
When it comes to catching their next meal, glass lizards like to eat a variety. They enjoy eating insects, young rodents, reptiles, spiders, a variety of insects and other invertebrates. These lizards like to hunt for their food in the daylight and out in the open. They use their vision to hunt their prey and only respond to their prey’s movement. Glass lizards are not very greedy carnivores because they only feed every other day. However, younger lizards may find themselves eating more than several times a day.
Reproductive:
During the summer months is when female lizards find it necessary to lay eggs. To protect their young, they may lay their eggs under a log or somewhere else provides cover or shelter. The female stays there with her eggs until the late summer when they are expected to hatch. At times, some of the glass lizard species will bury their eggs and then take off to handle other things. Some species do not lay eggs but give birth to live young.
More Interesting Facts:
If you looked at the picture of a glass lizard and thought about its name, you might be thinking to yourself “This lizard looks exactly like a snake.” While the appearance of the glass lizard may fool you into thinking it is a snake, it is simply a reptile. The reason that glass lizards are out more at night is that the sun gives them the energy that they need to hunt in the night. Scientists have already determined that there are no signs that these lizards will become extinct in the future even though humans can sometimes interfere with their survival by messing around with their eggs. Not to mention, humans use their skin to make things such as handbags, wallets and other items. Luckily in a lot of countries it is forbidden to kill these reptiles. It has been said that the predators of glass lizards can vary from specie to specie and can be a large variety of animals. Because of this, it is safe to say that no one truly knows what the predators are. However, there have been some cases where glass snakes have been eaten by snakes, other lizards, predatory birds, raptors and carnivorous mammals. It all depends on the habitat. The glass lizard is an interesting reptile to learn about. Consider finding out more.
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