Range

California legless lizards are found as their name suggest in California in the United States.

Habitat

They make their home in sand dunes, chaparral and coastal scrub, deserts and grasslands. Their most dense populations are seen along the coast.

They can be found hiding under logs or leaf litter, typically in damp areas.

Reproduction

Mating takes place during May, June and July. Young are born live after a gestation period of four months.

The average litter size is 1.3 offspring with litter size varying from one to four. It is thought that females do not give birth each year but the exact interval is not known.

Once the young emerge from their mother they are independent with no parental care provided.

Sexual maturity is reached at two years old.

Behavior

Legless lizards will shed their skin in multiple pieces. This is in contrast with snakes who shed theirs in one piece.

They are primarily active during the day.

California legless lizards are rarely seen above ground spending most of their day underground or under leaf litter.

Unlike most lizards the California legless lizard can be active at lower temperatures.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the California legless lizard include snakes, lizards, mice, weasels, domestic cats and birds.

One of their main ways to avoid predation is to hide underground. If a predator grabs them they can drop their tail to escape. A new tail will regrow in its place but this is typically shorter and darker than the original. This process lasts for one year.

Humans threaten this species through human expansion, agricultural development and oil/gas exploration.

Another increasing threat is wildfires which may not impact the species directly but contribute to a loss of leaf litter.

Quick facts

Prior to 2013 the California legless lizard was considered one species but has now been split in to five.

This species is also known as the northern legless lizard.