The Family Anniellidae is represented by just one small genus from North America, Anniella. There has been some speculation about the relationship of these legless lizards to other lizard families, and indeed to the amphisbaenians and even snakes, but the latest thinking (as represented by the EMBL database) places them in the Anguinomorpha, along with the Anguidae and Xenosauridae. Their saurian character is exemplified by their movable eyelids (lacking in snakes and amphisbaenians) and autotomous tail.
Common characteristics of the genus are: skull solidified (bones attached firmly to one another); lower jaw countersunk (as in amphisbaenians), with just a few conical teeth which widen at the base; bifid tongue, with papillae at the base; no external ear openings; no limbs, and only slight trace of pectoral girdle; smooth scales. Both species are livebearers.
Although so far we have only been able to obtain details of A. pulchra, A. geronimensis probably does not differ greatly in its lifestyle or size.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Distribution | Size | Notes |
| Anniella | ||||
| A. geronimensis | Geronimo Legless Lizard | Island of San Geronimo off Baja California | ?" | Restricted range: no further details available (but see Links at bottom of page). |
| A. pulchra | California Legless Lizard | California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), including Los Coronados islands. | 10" | Most often likened in appearance to a pencil due to its round shape and small diameter in ratio to length (no more than 9mm). Although the range of this species extends from the coast to the mountains at altitudes of up to 1,800m, the common factor throughout is the availability of loose sandy-loamy soil in which the lizard can burrow. A degree of moisture is essential. There is some similarity to the lifestyle of amphisbaenians: A. pulchra is usually a few centimetres underground, uses its shovel-shaped snout to dig (eyelids closed while so doing), and can seize prey from below. The body is moved forward by lateral thrusts. If there is enough foliage cover available the species is not averse to chasing prey (insects and spiders) above ground. Reproduction: 1-4 live young are born in Sept-Nov. |
| A. p. pulchra | Silvery Legless Lizard | As above | Coloration: dorsally yellowish-white, silvery or brownish with three fine dark longitudinal stripes. Ventrally lighter. | |
| A. p. nigra | Black Legless Lizard | Restricted to small coastal area of Monterey Country, California | Coloration: dorsally black to black-brown, turning bluish shortly before molting. | |
Animal Life Encyclopedia Volume 6: Reptiles, Grzimek,1975.
The very fine site www.wildherps.com has a picture of A. pulchra.
The Moss Landing Marine Labs site gives some details of a project to relocate A. pulchra, include the use of transponders to track the lizards underground. Recommended.
Robert Sprackland has some useful information on A. geronimensis.
Back to Lizard Families | Lizards | Amphibians | Reptiles | Back to Home Page