Pygopus lepidopodus
Encyclopedia
The Common Scaly-foot is a widespread species of legless lizard
in the Pygopodidae
family. It is endemic to Australia
.
), though can be nocturnal after high daytime temperatures. Lives in long grasses, heaths and woodlands. Most often seen on warm mornings, foraging for food. When threatened, the Scalyfoot flashes its thick fleshy tongue, in an apparent mimicry of snakes. Usually two eggs laid per clutch.
and tropical wet Queensland. A common species.
Legless lizard
Legless lizard may refer to any of several groups of lizards which have independently lost limbs or reduced them to the point of being of no use in locomotion. It is the common name for the family Pygopodidae, but often refers to other groups, such as limbless anguids, depending upon the region of...
in the Pygopodidae
Pygopodidae
Pygopodidae is a family of squamates that have reduced or absent limbs and are related to the geckos. There are at least 35 species in two subfamilies and eight genera. They have unusually long, slender, bodies, giving them a strong resemblance to snakes...
family. It is endemic to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Habit
Mostly active at dusk or dawn (crepuscularCrepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
), though can be nocturnal after high daytime temperatures. Lives in long grasses, heaths and woodlands. Most often seen on warm mornings, foraging for food. When threatened, the Scalyfoot flashes its thick fleshy tongue, in an apparent mimicry of snakes. Usually two eggs laid per clutch.
Diet
The diet is a variety of invertebrates such as burrowing spiders. There are reports of the Scaly-foot also eating other lizards in captivity, and vegetable matter , with a preference for bananas.Distribution
Mostly in the southern and eastern parts of Australia. Though isolated populations occur in semi arid southern QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and tropical wet Queensland. A common species.