Identification
This lizard species is small, with a body length of 15 cm. The tail is 1.5 times the body length. The limbs are significantly reduced, but still possess five digits. The legs are slender, appearing weak and unable to fully support the body. The body has numerous, fine, glossy stripes running from the top of the head to near the tip of the tail. The legs have small scales and sharp claws. There are two plates on the snout that meet; the frontal plate is large and undivided, while the two prefrontal plates are smaller and separated by a suture between the frontal and the rostral plates. The nostrils are located on the posterior margin of the nasal plate, in contact with the post-nasal plate. The lower eyelid is covered by small scales. There are approximately 26-28 scale rows around the body; these are wrinkled, glossy, and iridescent in sunlight. There are 58 dorsal scales running from behind the nuchal plate to the anterior part of the thigh.
Biology and Ecology
This species is the most typical representative of a burrowing lifestyle among the Lygosoma genus. They are often found burrowing and foraging in leaf litter within forests and are occasionally encountered in decaying logs, residential areas, or agricultural lands. Their diet consists of termites and larvae. They are diurnal. They lay 2 or 3 eggs per clutch, which hatch after five weeks.
Distribution
Vietnam: This short-legged lizard inhabits most areas of Vietnam up to 1,000m in elevation, including Tam Dao National Park.
Global: This peculiar small lizard is widespread in Southeast Asia. Specifically, it can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, southern China, Hong Kong, West Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Salayar islands), and the Philippines (Calamian Islands of Palawan).