Created: Jan 20, 2024 07:56 AM
A legless lizard, misidentified as a snake on social media, has been present in Bermuda (File {photograph})
The public have been requested to assist the wildlife service to find a legless lizard after a video submit wrongly figuring out it as a snake made the rounds on social media.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources mentioned it was conscious of the footage, which appeared to function a “snake” in what seemed just like the Devonshire Marsh space.
Bermuda is freed from snakes, and if such a reptile had been to realize a foothold on the island, the ecosystem might be thrown out of steadiness.
A DENR spokesman mentioned that the low high quality of the video made the animal tough to determine, however technical officers believed it to be a legless lizard.
The spokesman mentioned: “A legless lizard is a type of reptile that resembles a snake, but is actually a lizard that has evolved without legs.
“Various species spend time burrowing in the soil, primarily feeding on insects, small vertebrates and other small prey items.”
He added: “They are not dangerous to humans. However, new species in Bermuda can damage our fragile island ecosystems, and it is important to get a definitive identification and location.”
“Legless lizard” is the title for a number of lizard households which have their limbs misplaced or vastly lowered via evolution.
They developed from many trendy species of lizards, equivalent to geckos and skinks, whereas snakes have a completely separate ancestor.
Legless lizards will be distinguished from snakes by their eyelids, ear openings and notched tongues, all of which snakes lack.
Snakes even have broad stomach scales and the power to unhinge their jaws to eat massive prey, neither of which legless lizards are able to.
The time period “legless lizard” usually refers back to the Pygopodidae household native to Australia, although different species will be discovered all around the world aside from Antarctica.
It will also be a reference to the subfamily Anguinae, also referred to as glass lizards for his or her simply indifferent tails.
The DENR spokesman mentioned that regardless of finest efforts, this precise species of legless lizard can’t be decided from the footage alone.
He mentioned: “The low-quality pixellated image makes a definite identification difficult.
“For example, you cannot see the head clearly, and gauging the size is challenging. It appears on the smaller side to most snakes.”
• Anyone with useful data can name the DENR via the wildlife emergency hotline on 293-2727 ext 999
