Common Scaly-foot Lizard
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Pygopus lepidopodus or the Common scaly-foot lizard
While it looks like a snake, common scaly foot is in fact a legless lizard. The common scaly-foot can be found right across the south of Australia, where it lives in open forests and woodlands. the common scaly-foot like to eat spiders and insects, and will even feed on soft fruits. As the largest of the legless lizards, the common scaly-foot can reach up to 85 cm long, of which about 55 cm will be tail.
Legless lizards can be distinguished from snakes by their external ear holes and blunt fleshy tongue. Snakes have no ear holes, and a forked tongue. Females are larger than males, and will mate in the spring. Multiple females will share a nest site, with each of them laying two eggs per clutch. In a good season females can produce multiple clutches.
The name 'scaly-foot' comes from the small, scaly flaps that occur at the base of the tail. These are remnants of the legs that these animals used to have many millions of years ago.
Did you know...
- While it looks like a snake, common scaly-foot is in fact a legless lizard.
- The common scaly-foot likes to eat spiders, insects, and even soft fruits.
- Legless lizards can be distinguished from snakes by their external ear holes and blunt fleshy tongue. Snakes have no ear holes, and a forked tongue.
- The name 'scaly-foot' comes from the small, scaly flaps that occur at the base of the tail. These are remnants of the legs that these animals used to have many millions of years ago.
Where to find the Common Scaly-foot in Australia:
