Is it a snake? Is it a lizard?

No and yes.

This little fellow has a forked tongue, the ability to completely unhinge his jaw, and he slithers around like a snake – but despite all that, he’s most definitely a lizard. In fact, he’s actually a member of the infraorder Gekkota, meaning it wouldn’t be incorrect to call him a legless gecko!

The key differences between legless lizards and snakes are that they lack venom glands, have distinct earholes, are unable to constrict prey and have tiny vestigial hind limbs.

Burton’s Legless Lizard is the most widespread reptile in Australia, and can be found in almost every habitat across the continent! So no matter where you are on the mainland, be sure to keep an eye out for him.

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Burton’s Legless Lizard (Lialis burtonis), Boodjamulla National Park, Australia