Anguis fragilis: The Legless Lizard!

Anguis fragilis looks a lot like a snake, but it's really a lizard that lost its legs a super long time ago! It has smooth, shiny scales that can be brown, gray, or even coppery red. Instead of legs, it wiggles and slithers on its belly, just like a snake. It's a master of disguise in its home, hiding under leaves and logs. It's about as long as a grown-up's arm, but much thinner!

These amazing legless lizards live in Europe, from the very north of Spain all the way to Russia. They also hang out in North Africa and parts of Western Asia. They love places with lots of hiding spots, like gardens, forests with leafy ground, and even old stone walls. They are shy and like to stay hidden, so you might not see them very often, even if you're looking!

Anguis fragilis is a carnivore, which means it only eats meat! Its favorite snacks are yummy slugs and snails. It uses its sharp teeth to munch them up. It also likes to eat small insects and worms it finds crawling around. It's a very helpful creature because it eats so many garden pests, like slugs that can munch on plants!

Did you know that if a predator tries to grab Anguis fragilis by its tail, the tail can break off to distract the attacker? Don't worry, the lizard can grow a new one later! This is called 'autotomy'. They also have eyelids they can blink with, which snakes can't do. They are usually quite slow and gentle, and they are not dangerous to people at all.