Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Posted by: mekiki at Wed Apr 14 23:07:37 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Hello to all,

A situation arose today and i am in need of an answer, hopefully someone can help. I saw what looked to be a snake in front of my home. It was about 18 inches long, thin (no belly section) very dark in color and it's head was that of a snake. I was surprised though, when it began to walk under our front steps on its very small legs. I live in a hilly area of southern california that has many snakes (mainly rattle snakes) and lizards, but this was something new to me. Can anyone help to identify what this might be?

Thank You,
Mekiki

skink. There are many, that are dark in color. They vary in size and color.

But they do look snake like, and have very short legs, that look as though they are just coming out their sides,

I just posted this pic for someone down the page, but here is mine, she does have color, and is bigger and fatter than some.

But basically this is what a skink looks like.

But like I said (different colors and sizes) some are very dark like you say you saw.

Does this body and face look simular to what you saw?

Chiquita

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Eve

Sorry I should have added that for you, DUH!
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Eve

Thank you for taking the time to reply, i really appreciate it. The picture is similar but the one I saw was much thinner, with smaller legs, almost non-existent, actually. I don't think the head was as wide as the one in the picture either. Oh, when it walked away, it walked straight like a lizard would. If you are right, I will consider it a welcome addition to our home! I wonder how it got to my house, someone's pet maybe, they're not from California are they?

Thank you again, and is there anything I need to know about its care or should I just leave it be? They aren't dangerous, are they?

mekiki

they are very common and fit the description
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"I live for the nights I'll never remember with the friends I will never forget"

Well, I don't think I can identify what the animal is exactly, but i can tell u that it is probably a lizard. There are lizards that look very similar to snakes that have tiny little legs.

Here are some possibilities for you:

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.m.multicarinata.html
Alligator lizards--possibly a different subspecies from the one in these pictures, but should look fairly similar.

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.g.cancellosus.html
Variegated skink

There are some other species of skinks as well, but they have slightly longer legs.
There are also several species of legless lizards native to California.

Yes, lizards are completely harmless. There are only 2 known species of venomous lizards, the gila monster and the beaded lizard, and there's no mistaking them due to their large size, and vibrant orange and black "beaded" coloration, as well as their round, blunt faces and tails. (Beaded lizards are much darker in color, but don't occur in the US--gila monsters are native to the Southwest deserts).

Still not sure about its identity but looks closest to the california alligator, if any. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find him since the one day, but I'll keeps checking.

PHEve, dynomite, danigurl_88, & WingedWolf - I want to thank you for the interest you have shown and the responses that were given. So, here's to our cold-blooded friends and there warm-hearted keepers, you are truely an impressive group!

Thank You!
mekiki

mekiki