Description

Sharply-pointed snout. Very variable in colour, ranging from plain brown/grey to an assortment of longitudinal stripes. Females grow larger and longer than males.1 - Patchell & Shine (1986). Food habits and reproductive biology of the Australian legless lizards (Pygopodidae). Copeia, (1):30-39.

Similar species

The sharply-pointed snout distinguishes this species from virtually all other Australian reptiles.

Taxonomic notes

Wells & Wellington (1984)2 - Wells & Wellington (1984). A synopsis of the Class Reptilia in Australia. Australian Journal of Herpetology, 1(3-4):73-129. split from this species:
Lialis bicatenata - "confined to the Northern Territory"

Range

Australia's most wide-spread reptile, found across most of the mainland (absent only from some of the southern-most parts). Also found in New Guinea.

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Habitat

Virtually all habitats within its range, from deserts through to rainforest margins. Probably not found at high elevations, in rainforests or in deep ocean trenches.

Natural history

Similar to snakes in the following aspects:
-pointed, recurved, hinged teeth3 - Patchell & Shine (1986). Hinged teeth for hard-bodied prey: A case of convergent evolution between snakes and legless lizards. Journal of Zoology Series A, 208(PART 2):269-276.
-very flexible skull, allowing it to curve over prey items to maximise contact4 - Patchell & Shine (1986). Feeding mechanisms in pygopodid lizards: how can Lialis swallow such large prey?. Journal of Herpetology, 20(1):59-64.
-very elongate skull
These adaptations may serve to increase the ability of Lialis to capture and consume large skinks.4 - Patchell & Shine (1986). Feeding mechanisms in pygopodid lizards: how can Lialis swallow such large prey?. Journal of Herpetology, 20(1):59-64.

Uses caudal movement to both distract and lure prey.5 - Murray et al. (1991). Feeding Behavior and the Occurrence of Caudal Luring in Burton's Pygopodid Lialis burtonis (Sauria: Pygopodidae). Copeia, 1991(2):509-516.

Diet

Feeds on other reptiles, primary skinks.1 - Patchell & Shine (1986). Food habits and reproductive biology of the Australian legless lizards (Pygopodidae). Copeia, (1):30-39. Will probably consume any small reptile it can overpower, including other legless lizards and small snakes. Is an ambush hunter, feeding mainly during the day.5 - Murray et al. (1991). Feeding Behavior and the Occurrence of Caudal Luring in Burton's Pygopodid Lialis burtonis (Sauria: Pygopodidae). Copeia, 1991(2):509-516.

To avoid retaliatory bites, Burton's legless lizards modify their grasp location depending on the size of the prey: large prey items are always grasped on the head or neck and not eaten until incapacitated (which may take nearly 50 minutes), while smaller prey are sometimes grasped around the chest and swallowed while still struggling. Grasping the head or neck may also hasten prey suffocation. The elongated snout allows better grip of the prey, decreasing the likelihood of prey escaping. The eyes can also be retracted (inwards and backwards) into the skull to prevent injury from a struggling prey item.6 - Wall & Shine (2007). Dangerous food: lacking venom and constriction, how do snake-like lizards (Lialis burtonis, Pygopodidae) subdue their lizard prey?. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 91(4):719-727.

Conservation status

This species does not appear to be listed as of conservation concern.

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Patchell, F. C. & Shine, Richard (1986). Food habits and reproductive biology of the Australian legless lizards (Pygopodidae). Copeia, (1):30-39.
2. Wells, Richard W. & Wellington, C. Ross (1984). A synopsis of the Class Reptilia in Australia. Australian Journal of Herpetology, 1(3-4):73-129. - search web for this article
3. Patchell, F. C. & Shine, Richard (1986). Hinged teeth for hard-bodied prey: A case of convergent evolution between snakes and legless lizards. Journal of Zoology Series A, 208(PART 2):269-276.
4. Patchell, F. C. & Shine, Richard (1986). Feeding mechanisms in pygopodid lizards: how can Lialis swallow such large prey?. Journal of Herpetology, 20(1):59-64.
5. Murray, BA; Bradshaw, SD; & Edward, DH (1991). Feeding Behavior and the Occurrence of Caudal Luring in Burton's Pygopodid Lialis burtonis (Sauria: Pygopodidae). Copeia, 1991(2):509-516. - search web for this article
6. Wall, Michael & Shine, Richard (2007). Dangerous food: lacking venom and constriction, how do snake-like lizards (Lialis burtonis, Pygopodidae) subdue their lizard prey?. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 91(4):719-727. - search web for this article

 

Additional links

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Lialis burtonis
• Burton's legless lizard at The TIGR Reptile Database