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CALIFORNIA LEGLESS LIZARD
Anniella pulchra
Species of Special Concern, CA
Department of Fish and Game
Sensitive Species, U.S. Forest Service
The
deceptively snake-like California legless lizard is aptly
named—it truly is a lizard with no legs! Two significant
characteristics distinguish the California legless lizard from a
snake: 1) it has moveable eyelids (snakes do not have eyelids at
all); and 2) the California legless lizard can purposely detach
the end of its tail to trick predators, a skill your average
snake does not possess.
A
Subspecies?
The California
legless lizard is slender, and ranges in length from about 4 to
7 inches snout to vent. It has a shovel-shaped snout, smooth
shiny scales and a blunt tail. It varies in color from metallic
silver, beige, dark brown to black, and it typically has a dark
line along its back and several thin stripes between scale rows
along its sides. Aniella pulchra was formerly split into
two subspecies (Aniella pulchra pulchra—Silvery Legless
Lizard and Aniella pulchra nigra—Black Legless Lizard).
Most herpetologists and state agencies no longer recognize the
two subspecies.
Diet and
Reproduction
California
legless lizards often forage at the base of shrubs or other
vegetation either on or just below the surface in leaf litter or
sandy soil. Once they capture their prey, the lizard will pull
it beneath the surface for consumption. The lizard enjoys
feeding on insect larvae, termites, small adult insects, beetles
and spiders. Known predators include alligator lizards, snakes,
birds and small mammals.
Female
California legless lizards are sexually mature at two to three
years of age, and mating begins in late spring or early summer.
They bear live young from September through November, and litter
size ranges from one to four.
Range
 Although the range of the
California legless lizard is fairly extensive, it does not occur
commonly within its full range. This lizard is common in
suitable habitats in the Coast Ranges from Contra Costa County
south to the Mexican border, but only has a spotty occurrence
throughout the rest of its range, which includes the San Joaquin
Valley to the west slope of the southern Sierra, the Tehachapi
Mountains west of the desert and in the mountains of southern
California. Its elevational distribution ranges from near sea
level to 1800 meters (6000 feet).
Anniella
pulchra has a wide thermal tolerance, which allows it to be
active throughout the day, including colder mornings and nights.
It is a burrowing species associated with sandy or loose loamy
soils, and it lives mostly underground. The California legless
lizard also needs moisture for its survival, so it favors moist,
warm, loose soil with some plant cover. Thus the California
legless lizard can often be found in sparsely vegetated areas of
coastal dune, valley-foothill, chaparral and coastal scrub
habitats.
Conservation Concerns
California
legless lizards are very well documented in coastal dune
habitats, but they do occur in the mountain areas on National
Forest System lands. However, not much is known about their
abundance on national forest lands. Scattered populations do
exist in the Los Padres National Forest, specifically in the
lower elevations of the desert scrub habitat of the Mt. Pinos
Ranger District.
Although not
much is known about the lizard, its habitat and threats, it does
appear to be adapted to a variety of habitats. However, since
they are dependent on duff and a litter layer for moisture, they
are likely vulnerable to wildland fire (which will burn away the
duff layer). Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use can trample lizards
and their burrows. Additional threats to the lizard’s habitat
include development, recreation (especially in coastal dune
areas), and the introduction of nonnative plants (such as ice
plant).
To help
protect the California legless lizard and its habitat,
ForestWatch is working to protect the chaparral ecosystems on
which the lizard depends for survival. ForestWatch also supports
efforts to control and manage the spread of invasive nonnative
plants, to maintain the habitat condition of riparian areas and
restore damaged areas, and to provide linkages to open space
reserves outside national forests.
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