The
glass lizards or
glass snakes are a
genus,
Ophisaurus (from the Greek 'snake-lizard'), of reptiles that resemble
snakes, but are actually
lizards. Although most species have no legs, their head shapes, movable
eyelids, and external
ear openings identify them as lizards. A few species have very small, stub-like legs near their rear vents. These are
vestigial organs, meaning they have evolved and are no longer in use. These animals are also known as
jointed snakes. They reach lengths of up to , but about two-thirds of this is the tail. Glass lizards feed on insects, spiders, other small reptiles, and young rodents. Their diets are limited by their inability to unhinge their jaws. Some glass lizards give birth to
live young but most lay
eggs.