Home › Volumes › Reptiles › Lizards
Worm Lizard
Colouration.—In life this species is of a uniform lavender, over which plays an iridescent bloom, varying in intensity in different degrees of light. Preserved specimens quickly fade to a pale and lustreless yellow.
Dimensions.—The measurements of an averaged-sized specimen are given:
Distribution.—The species appears to be restricted to Florida.
Habits.—Among the many and varied phases of reptile life existing in North America, the Worm Lizard appears to be the most rudimentary in structure and secretive in habits. Its helplessness above ground may be appreciated after the examination of a specimen, and the absence of the eyes is noted. The subterraneous habits render sight unnecessary. Sluggishly boring long tunnels in soft ground, through which it wriggles its way forward or backward with equal ease, it searches for prey of a like helpless nature as itself--the soft-bodied larvae of small insects, and small earthworms--an adult would rival the reptile itself in size.
Colouration.—A broad, central olive band, bordered on each side by five dark brown, and four pale olive stripes; first and fourth of the dark stripes the widest.
Distribution.—The Central States. Nebraska to Kansas; Mississippi Valley to the Rocky Mountains.
Colouration.—Very young specimens are jet-black, with a vivid yellow line on the back and two similar lines on each side. The central stripe forks on the head. These five stripes extend to the tail, where they are lost in a shade of brilliant blue. This young phase is popularly called the Blue-tailed Lizard and the Five-lined Lizard; it is represented by specimens 4-5 inches long.
Dimensions.—Following are the measurements of a fairsized specimen of the "Red-headed" Lizard--the adult phase of the species:
Distribution.—The species occurs from Massachusetts to Florida and westward to central Texas. It is rare in the Northern States. The writer has taken occasional specimens in Connecticut. In New Jersey it is more common. Throughout the dry, pine woods of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida it abounds, attains the largest size and undergoes the most complete colour metamorphosis.
Habits.—Described at the end of the list of species.
Dimensions.—A small species, attaining a total length of about six inches.
Distribution.—The Central Region--Nebraska to northern Texas.
Colouration.—Young black with five very faint stripes. Adult yellowish, or olive; margins of the scales darker; head reddish.
Distribution.—Kansas and central Texas, to Utah and Arizona; northern Mexico.
Colouration.—Young olive, with two whitish lines on each side, embracing a dark band. The upper stripes are bordered by a black band (very narrow). Adults olive, with fainter stripes.
Dimensions.—Total length, 5 7/8 inches; tail, 3 1/2 inches.
Distribution.—The Pacific Region. Vancouver Island and extreme southwestern Canada, Washington, Oregon, California, western Nevada and Lower California to Cape St. Lucas. An abundant species.
Dimensions.—Larger than its near ally. Total length, 8 1/2 inches; tail, 5 3/8 inches.
Distribution.—"Western slope of the Sierra Nevada in the vicinity of the Yosemite Valley, California." (Van Denburgh).
Habits.—Mr. Van Denburgh explains that the species is very active, and is found in grass and fallen leaves, retreating to holes under stones and boulders.
Distribution.—The Central Region--Minnesota and the Dakotas to Kansas.
Colouration.—Olive to reddish brown. Four, equally distant white stripes--two on each side of the body and traversing the centres of single rows of scales; the stripes are margined with obscure, dotted lines.
Distribution.—Southern Florida and the Keys.
Colouration.—Dark, olive green on the back; two distinct white lines on the sides. In the centre of each pair of stripes and bordering them above, is a coal-black band. Olive below the lower stripe. There is no marked difference between the young and the adult; the head of the adult is reddish.
Dimensions.—Total length, 5 1/2 inches; tail, 3 1/4 inches.
Distribution.—Most abundant in the Alleghanean region; occurs from Pennsylvania to Texas.
Distribution.—Known only from Texas and northern Mexico.
Distribution.—One specimen known. Taken near Mobile, Alabama.
Colouration.—Light brown above. A dark brown band on each side of the body bordered with pale lines; the pair of pale lines narrowly bordered above and beneath with dark brown. Abdomen greenish.
Dimensions.—Length of Head and Body . . . . . 3 1/16 inches.
Distribution.—One specimen known; from Texas.
Dimensions.—Total length, 5 3/4 inches; tail, 4 3/8 inches.
Distribution.—Texas. Has been taken near San Antonio.
Colouration.—Young specimens entirely black on the body, the end of the tail becoming bluish. A row of bluish-white spots over the eye and a similar row along the upper lip; also a row on each side of the chin. With maturity the black gives way to olive and the spots become fainter.
Distribution.—Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Colouration.—Back, and upper portions of tail and head bronze, sometimes olive, with minute dots--on the body--in lines. On each side of the bronze area, is a dark band. The abdomen is yellowish.