Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello to all,

A situation arose today and i am in need of an answer, hopefully someone can help. I saw what looked like 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, almost non existent 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 tell me if this might be a skink? If it isn't dangerous then it is more then welcome to stay, but I am not familiar with skinks and need to know.

Thank You,
Mekiki

Hi, Mekiki:
There are several species which may fit your description. For starters, here's a picture of a legless lizard found in southern California. (I know you wrote it had legs, but just in case.)

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Edward
Carpe diem

This is a Coronado skink, found along coastal areas of southern California.

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Edward
Carpe diem

The legs on this skink, a Gilbert's skink, are not quite so tiny but it is another possibility, I think.

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Edward
Carpe diem

Alligator lizards look very snake-like too, and fit the description, as was pointed out in the other forum area.

They can move like snakes especially when they go fast and tuck their little legs in. There not dangerous although if you pick one up a big one can give a painful bite. California skinks are hard to mistake for snakes which is why I think this.

Hello,
I own a legless lizard an eastern glass lizard .my neighbor has seen a slender glass lizard with under develaped legs he said they looked like small bumps.also look at a pic of a california slender salamander they look like a snake.
Tom