pygopodines

Pygopodines are a family of lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota. They are commonly known as flap-footed lizards or legless lizards due to their highly reduced or absent limbs. Despite their snake-like appearance, pygopodines are distinct from snakes and are more closely related to geckos. They are characterized by their elongated bodies, long tails, and the absence of external ear openings. Their hind limbs are vestigial, appearing as small, scale-covered flaps along the sides of their bodies. The forelimbs are entirely absent.

This unique morphology allows pygopodines to navigate through leaf litter, sand, and dense vegetation with serpentine movements. Their diet typically consists of insects and other small invertebrates. Pygopodines are found in Australia and New Guinea, inhabiting a variety of environments ranging from arid deserts to humid forests. They are a diverse group with over 30 species, exhibiting variations in size, coloration, and habitat preference. Reproduction in pygopodines is oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Fossil evidence suggests a long evolutionary history for this group, with their limb reduction likely an adaptation to specific ecological niches.