Snake lizards are so-called because their body shape resembles that of a snake, although they are actually lizards. They belong to the legless lizard family known as Pygopodidae. Although snake lizards have no forelimbs, they do have small, flattened flaps that represent the remnants of their hind legs. These may serve a purpose in courtship, rather similar to the spurs of boas, and they might help the lizards to move through undergrowth too. In common with snakes however, snake lizards actually have no eyelids, which makes them unusual among lizards.
But their tongues are flat, and unforked and they also have external ear holes. In fact, snake lizards can vocalise, emitting high-pitched squeaks, which is something that snakes themselves are unable to do. This in turn may help to explain…