Glass lizards are long, slender, legless lizards that superficially resemble snakes. They differ from snakes, though, in that they have moveable eyelids, external ear openings, and inflexible jaws. As its name implies, the slender glass lizard generally slimmer than the eastern glass lizard, although both species are generally brown or yellowish in coloration. This species is best distinguished from other glass lizards by the presence of dark markings below the lateral groove, although these markings may become obscured in older individuals. Many specimens also have a dark stripe down the center of the back.
Ten Facts about Slender Glass Lizard
- Their size up to 22 - 42 in (62 - 107 cm).
- Slender glass lizards are found throughout Georgia and South Carolina but are most common in sandy areas of the Coastal Plain.
- Glass lizards forage actively by day in open habitats but are commonly found taking refuge beneath boards and other debris.
- When seized, glass lizards commonly break off all or part of their tail (which makes up more then half of their total length) which later re-grows.
- With the predator distracted by the wriggling tail, the lizard is free to escape.
- Glass lizards eat a wide variety of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates as well as small reptiles and probably young rodents.
- In early summer, female glass lizards lay several eggs under a log, board, or other cover object. The female apparently attends the eggs until they hatch later in the summer.
- Glass lizards earned their name by their propensity to "shatter" by breaking their tail, often in several pieces.
- Predators of six-lined racerunners include snakes (especially milk snakes and racers), birds, and small mammals.
- Life span up to 3-6 years.
