In the Facebook group Fast Snake Identification (Australia Wide), which has nearly 60,000 members, a member named Claire Smith-Ince shared a photo of a strange creature that caught the attention of others in the group.
The member who posted the photo wanted to ask others about its scientific name. He mentioned that a friend of his took this picture just before nearly stepping on the creature. The photo was taken at Shark Bay, Australia (see the image below).
What is this creature?
Many people expressed their amazement at the creature with the forked tail. They commented that they had never seen a snake like it. Some even described the tail as resembling that of a… mermaid.
However, the answer will surprise you just as much as seeing the image above. The truth is that this creature with the “mermaid” tail is actually a… lizard. Specifically, it is a legless lizard scientifically known as Pygopus nigriceps.
Legless lizard. Edited photo by Thành Luân
This lizard species is endemic to Australia, and its elongated body can easily be mistaken for a snake. However, if you look closely at its head, you will notice the difference; this legless lizard measures only between 45 to 55 cm in length.
Although they have a very small pair of hind limbs shaped like paddles, these limbs do not significantly aid the lizard’s movement. The forked tail of the lizard in the photo is also not formed by these hind limbs.
Paddle-shaped hind limbs. Photo: Frog Blog Manchester
Thus, the lizard with the “mermaid” tail remains a mystery yet to be solved!
Legless lizards typically feed on small insects and even spider eggs. They are nocturnal and move similarly to how snakes do. Their defensive behavior is also quite similar to that of cobras, as they raise their heads and flatten their necks as if puffing up.
However, legless lizards are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Their predators include carnivorous birds, water snakes, feral cats, foxes, and Goanna lizards…
