09/09/2026
Animal Encounters - Meet the Eastern Glass Lizard
Did you know? The Eastern Glass Lizard gets its name from its unique defense. When threatened, it can detach its tail, which breaks into several pieces—like shattered glass—to confuse predators while it escapes.
Even though they look like snakes, the Eastern Glass Lizard is a legless lizard with internal limbs, external ear openings, and eyelids, which distinguishes it from true snakes.
They are found in our upland ecosystems here in Florida, like our pine flatwoods and other scrubby, sandy soil areas.
Eastern Glass Lizards are carnivores. As opportunistic predators, they’ll eat just about anything they can catch — insects, spiders, snails, worms and even bird eggs.
They are diurnal, meaning that they are active during the daylight, especially in the morning.
Watch the episode on PBC Parks TV on YouTube
[Alt Text: Orange graphic featuring text and images of Eastern Glass Lizard, used to share information about wildlife.]
