A fascinating reptile from southern Africa that looks more like a snake at first glance than a lizard. Its body is long and slender, with tiny, almost invisible legs that make it appear legless when it slithers through the grass. This unique body design allows it to move swiftly through its grassy habitats, weaving between blades like a ribbon in the wind. Found mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, the Cape grass lizard is perfectly adapted to life in open grasslands and high-altitude meadows.

While many lizards rely on sturdy legs for scurrying across rocks and tree trunks, the Cape grass lizard’s legs are so small that they are practically useless for walking. Instead, its snake-like body allows it to slip effortlessly through dense grasses, avoiding predators and surprising prey. This body shape is unusual among lizards, giving it a very distinctive place in the reptile world. Despite looking like a snake, it still has traits that give away its lizard identity—like movable eyelids and external ear openings.

The Cape grass lizard is an insect eater, feeding mostly on small invertebrates it finds hidden among the grass stems. With its sharp eyesight and quick reflexes, it is well equipped to snap up crickets, beetles, and other bugs. Unlike snakes, it doesn’t rely on constriction or venom; instead, it’s all about stealth and speed. Its long body also makes it vulnerable in open areas, so it depends heavily on camouflage, blending into the golden-brown shades of dry grass to stay hidden from birds and other predators.

Despite its snake-like shape, when threatened, it doesn’t slither away like a snake would—it actually wriggles and thrashes about, confusing predators long enough to escape into the grass. Its unique appearance has also earned it nicknames like “grass snake-lizard” or “snake mimic.”

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2019

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

2019

Possibly Extant

Eswatini

2019

South Africa

2019