Striped legless lizard
| Striped legless lizard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Pygopodidae |
| Genus: | Delma |
| Species: | D. impar |
| Binomial name | |
| Delma impar (Fischer, 1882) | |
 | |
The striped legless lizard (Delma impar) is a species of lizard in the Pygopodidae family endemic to Australia.[1] As of 2015 it is threatened with extinction, with few habitats left.
It superficially similar to a snake, and sometimes confused with the deadly brown snake. However, it is more closely related to the gecko and the skink. They have vestigial legs, and an unforked tongue. Most of its body is a non-detachable tail.
The animal has few intact habitats left. Its sole habitat within Canberra is scheduled for development in late 2015-2016, which will destroy most of the small-animal population there. In an innovative effort, prior to bulldozers destroying the grasslands, roofing tiles are being used as "heat bait" to attract the lizards in the area. The captured lizards are then planned for evaluation, tracking, and transportation to what may be a sustainable habit 75 kilometres (47 mi) away.[2]
References
- ↑ "Delma impar". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group. 1996. Retrieved 14 Oct 2015.
- ↑ Milman, Oliver (14 Oct 2015). "The party’s over for the striped legless lizard in Australia's capital". The Guardian -. Archived from the original on 14 Oct 2015. Retrieved 14 Oct 2015 – via (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6cH8C5fg1).