Floridian Nature

Learn about Florida's beautiful and unique nature.





Florida Lizards: Glass Lizards
Glass lizards, or glass snakes as they are often called, a frequently seen in Florida. Although they may appear to a form of snakes, they are actually legless lizards. Unlike snakes, these lizards have eyelids and external ear openings. Glass lizards are well known for their stiff bodies and their fragile tails that break off easily  when handled. The skin of the glass lizard contains a small bone called osteoderm in each and every scale. Glass lizards also have a line of soft flexible scales extending lengthwise along each side of their bodies. Without this lateral groove, glass lizards would hardly be able to move or even expand their bodies enough to breathe. This groove is visible as a slight fold or impression. When the tail of the glass lizards breaks off, the regenerated tail lacks the stripes of the original tail and is plainly colored. Glass lizards feed mainly on crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, and other small invertebrates. In folk legend glass lizards were called joint snakes, because people believed that they were able to break into many pieces and then grow back together!

Eastern Glass Lizard in FloridaEastern Glass Lizard- The eastern glass lizard is the longest and heaviest glass lizard in Florida and is generally light brown or yellowish to greenish in coloration. This is the most common glass lizard in the state, and the only glass lizard that has green or blueish coloration as an adult.  Although Eastern Glass lizards may be found in a variety of habitats they are most common in flatwoods and around wetlands in sandy habitats. Additionally, eastern glass lizards are very common in coastal dune habitats and are sometimes even found beneath debris at the tide line.

Florida Eastern Slender Glass LizardEastern Slender Glass Lizard- As its name implies, the slender glass lizard generally is slimmer than the eastern glass lizard, although both species are generally brown or yellowish in coloration. This glass lizard can be distinguished by the prominent dark stripe down the middle of its back and the several stripes along its sides, both above and below the lateral groove; although these markings may become obscured in older individuals. This lizard seems to prefer a drier habitat than the Eastern Glass Lizard and are common in old field and sandhill habitats. Glass lizards forage actively by day in open habitats but are commonly found taking refuge beneath boards and other debris.

Florida six-lined racerunner glass lizardSix-lined Racerunner- Racerunners are fond of heat and are active even on the hottest of summer days. They are alert and active, darting between clumps of vegetation to grab insects. During cool weather, night, or when confronted by a predator, racerunners often take refuge in burrows. This species is most common in hot, open areas such as fields, woodland edges, and sand dunes and is almost always found on the ground. The racerunner moves fast and is difficult to catch, but if pursued it eventually tires. Six-lined racerunner hatchlings have bright blue tails. Racerunners have more stripes overall than any other Florida lizard and its tail is very long, making it easy to identify. Also called the Whiptail, the Six-lined Racerunner males have an intense blue coloration underneath the head and throat.

Florida and Georgia island glass lizardIsland Glass Lizard- Island glass lizards are found on dunes along the coasts and inland in sandy areas. Fairly common in the eastern Everglades, the island glass lizard is the least frequently seen of all the glass lizards in Florida.  As its name implies, this species is often found on offshore islands. Sometimes Island Glass Lizards are found under tidal debris on Florida beaches. This glass lizards body is usually light tan with one dark stripe down each side above the body groove, and there is often a faint stripe down the center of its back. The island glass lizard has more mottling than the other Florida glass lizards, but its single most distinguishing feature is the single, broad, chocolate brown stripe on each side.

Florida Worm LizardFlorida Worm Lizard- The worm lizard is a weird looking whitish-pink amphisbaena that is neither a snake nor a lizard. The only species found in the United States is the Florida worm lizard, which can be found in both North and Central Florida. Except for their size, they are very similar in appearance to earthworms, with cylindrical bodies ringed by shallow grooves. Their eyes and ears are covered by skin. Most worm lizards are about a foot  long. Members of many species remain underground most of their lives, feeding on earthworms, spiders, and insects. Worm lizards are found in sandy upland areas and can sometimes be seen after heavy rains have saturated the ground. They are sometimes turned up during soil cultivation. The most active period for the Florida worm lizard is early fall, a time which they may be seen on the surface.
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