Anniellidae Info

The family, commonly known as American legless lizards , is a unique group of fossorial (burrowing) reptiles endemic to western North America, primarily California and Baja California , Mexico. Though they are often mistaken for snakes, they are true lizards that have evolved a limbless form to better navigate subterranean environments. Taxonomy and Diversity

They can drop their tails to distract predators. anniellidae

( A. alexanderae ): Found in a very limited range at the base of the Temblor Mountains. The family, commonly known as American legless lizards

( A. geronimensis ): Restricted to coastal sand dunes in northwest Baja California. geronimensis ): Restricted to coastal sand dunes in

Anniellids are roughly the size of a pencil (about 20cm) with smooth, shiny scales that vary from silvery-beige to dark brown or black. They possess several features that distinguish them from snakes: Unlike snakes, they can blink.

( A. pulchra ): Found from the San Francisco Bay Area south through central California.

Many species in this family face threats from due to urban development, agriculture, and oil/gas exploration. Species like the Temblor Legless Lizard ( A. alexanderae ) have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act due to their extremely limited and fragmented ranges. Silvery Legless Lizard (Anniella pulchra pulchra)