Slender Glass Lizard Slender Glass Lizard Photo Credit: Roger
Clay SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ophisaurus attenuatus OTHER NAMES: Glass
lizard, glass snake DESCRIPTION: A legless lizard attaining a
maximum length of about 42 inches. Individuals are tan or brown
on top and light colored below with a series of dark stripes
along the sides and sometimes down the center of the back. Two
other glass lizards are found in Alabama; the eastern glass
lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) and the mimic glass lizard
(Ophisaurus mimicus). The best way to distinguish the slender
glass lizard from the other two species is the presence of dark
stripes below the lateral groove running along the sides of the
lizard. Glass lizards get their common name from their easily
broken tail which often breaks into one or more pieces when
grabbed or handled roughly. Though outwardly snake-like in
appearance, glass lizards have external ear openings and
moveable eyelids which are absent in snakes. DISTRIBUTION:
Uncommon to rare statewide in Alabama, though