Lialis

Lialis
Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Gekkota
Family: Pygopodidae
Genus: Lialis
Gray, 1835
Geographic range of the genus Lialis in Australia and New Guinea.

Lialis is a genus of legless lizards in the family Pygopodidae. The genus is native to Australia and New Guinea.

Diet

Lizards in the genus Lialis specialize in eating skinks. They have hinged teeth and kinetic skull joints which flex allowing them to swallow their prey whole.

Reproduction

Lizards in the genus Lialis exhibit oviparity.

Species

The following two species are recognized as being valid.

References

  1. 1 2 Patchell F, Shine R (1986). "Feeding Mechanisms in Pygopodid Lizards: How Can Lialis Swallow Such Large Prey?". Journal of Herpetology 20 (1): 59-64.
  2. 1 2 Genus Lialis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading