The impulse to rid one’s property of snakes is understandable: Some are venomous and pose a danger to humans. But most aren’t, and they help control genuine pests such as rodents. We should welcome these benign reptiles.

One animal that Florida residents often mistake for a snake is the harmless glass lizard (genus Ophisaurus in the family Anguidae). It’s a legless animal, but it has moveable eyelids and ear openings – identifying characteristics of a lizard, not a snake.

Having these distinctively marked reptiles in your yard is a form of free pest control, as they feast on the insect population. They range in length from 15 to 40 inches.

The glass lizard (sometimes called “glass snake”) derives that name from the fact that its tail breaks off when the animal is threatened. This defensive action gives the appearance of the glass lizard “shattering.” As is the case with many other lizard species, the tail regrows over time.

There are a couple ways to instantly differentiate glass lizards from snakes. First, their movements are stiff and wiggly, almost wormlike – not the smooth gliding along the ground that characterizes snakes. Second, there’s no narrowing of the animal’s body in the neck area. 

And being lizards, these creatures lack the stretchable jaws of a snake, limiting them to smaller prey.

Glass lizards live in a variety of habitats: meadowland, forests, wetlands. Here in Florida, they sometimes show up in suburban neighborhoods. Often, they’re hidden underground.

If you do see one, it’s best to leave it undisturbed so it can keep gobbling up insect pests. The glass lizard is an ally and a beautiful creature.

Of course, if you’re being plagued by creatures that aren’t so beautiful, such as insect pests and rodents, call Slug-A-Bug today at (321) 259-7844. We’ll give you a free evaluation.

For more information:

https://www.osc.org/how-to-identify-a-legless-lizard-versus-a-snake/

https://www.britannica.com/animal/glass-lizard

https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/snakes/leglesslizards.shtml

https://herpsofnc.org/eastern-glass-lizard/