They lack external ear openings but retain vestigial traces of a pectoral girdle. Ecology and Behavior
The family, commonly known as American legless lizards , is a unique group of fossorial (burrowing) reptiles endemic to western North America, primarily California and Baja California , Mexico. Though they are often mistaken for snakes, they are true lizards that have evolved a limbless form to better navigate subterranean environments. Taxonomy and Diversity anniellidae
Anniellids are roughly the size of a pencil (about 20cm) with smooth, shiny scales that vary from silvery-beige to dark brown or black. They possess several features that distinguish them from snakes: Unlike snakes, they can blink. They lack external ear openings but retain vestigial
( A. campi ): Restricted to a few sites in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Key Physical Characteristics Taxonomy and Diversity Anniellids are roughly the size
They are insectivores, primarily eating insects, larvae, and spiders.
( A. pulchra ): Found from the San Francisco Bay Area south through central California.