Slow Worm (Legless Lizard)

Overview

A legless lizard resembling a snake, but with eyelids and a detachable tail, shiny brown-gray, harmless.

History & Origin

The glass lizard is native to Eurasia. It belongs to the family Glass Lizards, a lineage of lizards distributed across those regions and kept both in the wild and by specialist reptile keepers.

Appearance & Size

Slow Worm (Legless Lizard) is a small to medium (30–45 cm) lizard.

Temperament

It shows the typical temperament of its group—research the species for handling guidance.

Care & Husbandry

Glass lizards are legless, burrowing insectivores resembling snakes. They need deep, loose substrate for digging, moderate humidity, hiding cover and UVB. They are shy, generally not handleable, and may drop their tail (which does not regenerate as fully as in other lizards).

Health & Lifespan

Prone to substrate impaction and stress; tail autonomy is common. Provide deep, clean substrate and minimal handling. Regrown tails are shorter and smoother. In captivity a healthy individual may live around 10–20 years.

Popularity & Recognition

Glass lizards are legless burrowers often mistaken for snakes; their name comes from a fragile tail that shatters easily when grabbed.