^ SIZ) Ralph De Sola, Federal Writers’ Project. 
“GLASS SNAKE” (Ophisaurus vetUralis). Length: 2l/ 2 feet. Range: Southern United 
States. 
ANIELLIDS 
The approach of an insect or grub attracts the aniellid s attention, but 
the limbless lizard makes no attempt to move toward it. If, however, the 
insect comes into the immediate vicinity, the aniellid will raise its head 
and crawl out of its burrow. When its head is directly above the victim, it 
will plunge its jaws down into the sand, thus imprisoning the insect. The 
insect’s struggles only force it deeper into the lizard s mouth, where it 
remains for some time before being swallowed. A considerable amount of 
sand is swallowed at the same time. 
Slevin says that these small, dark-bodied reptiles of California and 
Lower California spend most of their time lying in the sand with only 
their head exposed. On cloudy days they seem to be more deeply buried 
than on clear days, while in warm weather they grow somewhat more 
active. 
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