REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: DIPLOGLOSSA: ANNIELLIDAE

The Anniellidae is a family of three described taxa known only from coastal California, from near San Francisco south to central Baja. They are all diminutive, thin, limbless burrowers found in loose dry soils. They are similar enough to the Anguidae that some authors place them in that larger family. However, anniellids lack an external ear opening or the lateral fold that characterize many limbless anguids. The name "Anniella" is derived from Latin and means "little worm."

These legless lizards have smooth, shiny scales and a pointed snout, which gives them streamlining for ease in sub-soil locomotion. The tail is much longer than the head and body length, and is easily lost. A replacement can be regrown.

Legless lizards have a yellow belly, but differ greatly in dorsal coloration. Females give birth to 1-6 live young in late summer.