legless lizard
Noun: 1. A type of reptile: A legless lizard is a lizard that has very small, often non-functional limbs or no limbs at all, resembling a snake but belonging to the lizard family. 2. Specific zoological classification: In particular, it can refer to certain species, such as those found in California, which are burrowing, wormlike lizards closely related to alligator lizards.
- General Noun:
- The legless lizard is often mistaken for a snake due to its elongated body.
- Unlike snakes, a legless lizard has ear openings and can detach its tail.
- Specific Reference (from context):
- The California legless lizard is a fascinating example of adaptation to a burrowing lifestyle.
- "to be like a legless lizard": Used informally to describe something that appears to be one thing (like a snake) but is biologically and fundamentally another (a lizard). This highlights mistaken identity or hidden true nature.
- That new policy is a legless lizard—it looks like a reform, but it's just the old system in disguise.
- Glass lizard (n): A common name for some types of legless lizards, known for their long, brittle tails that can break off.
- Slowworm (n): A type of legless lizard found in Europe and parts of Asia.
- Alligator lizard (n): A close relative of the California legless lizard, possessing well-developed limbs.
- Anguid lizard (n): The scientific family (Anguidae) to which many legless lizards belong.
- Limbless lizard (n): A more general descriptive term.
- To go legless (idiom, informal/slang): This is an unrelated idiom meaning to become very drunk. It does not refer to the reptile.
- After the party, he was completely legless.
It is critical to distinguish a legless lizard from a snake. Key differences include: * Eyelids: Legless lizards have movable eyelids; snakes have a transparent, fixed scale. * Ear openings: Legless lizards have external ear openings; snakes do not. * Tail autonomy: Many legless lizards can voluntarily detach their tails to escape predators; snakes generally cannot. * Body shape: Legless lizards often have a more rigid, less flexible body than snakes.
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degenerate wormlike burrowing lizard of California closely related to alligator lizards
