| Scaly-foot | |
|---|---|
| Scalyfoot at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Pygopodidae |
| Genus: | Pygopus |
| Species: | P. lepidopodus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pygopus lepidopodus Bernard Germain de Lacépède 1804 |
|
The Common Scaly-foot is a widespread species of legless lizard in the Pygopodidae family[1]. It is endemic to Australia.
Contents |
Mostly active at dusk or dawn (crepuscular), though can be nocturnal after high daytime temperatures. Lives in long grasses, heaths and woodlands. Most often seen on warm mornings, foraging for food. When threatened, the Scalyfoot flashes its thick fleshy tongue, in an apparent mimicry of snakes. Usually two eggs laid per clutch.[2]
The diet is a variety of invertebrates such as burrowing spiders[3]. There are reports of the Scaly-foot also eating other lizards in captivity, and vegetable matter [4], with a preference for bananas.
Mostly in the southern and eastern parts of Australia. Though isolated populations occur in semi arid southern Queensland and tropical wet Queensland[5]. A common species.
Snake like in appearance. Up to 80 cm in length with a noticeable "keel" or ridge on the top of the lizard. Variable in colours and pattern. Occasionally grey with black spots.[6] Sometimes coppery brown with a grey tail. Other patterns and variations occur. Prominent limb flaps may be seen on close inspection, hence the name "scaly foot".
Considered an easy to keep species[7], a license is required to keep the Scaly-foot as a pet in Australia.