Gymnophthalmidae

Family Gymnophthalmidae The family Gymnophthalmidae includes 241 species. Distribution: from southern Central America to southern South America east of the Andes.

Gymnophthalmids are small lizards; adults are less than 60 mm in length. This family is sometimes called “spectacled lizards” because of their transparent eyelids. They can see with closed eyes, as most lizards can, but these eyelids are movable. These lizards can inhabit a wide range of habitats. As a rule, they are inhabitants of forest litter or moist environments associated with tropical forests. They are nocturnal or intermittently diurnal. They feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates. All species lay eggs. They are often found under logs and stones. Gymnophthalmus speciosus Leposoma rugiceps Potamites strangulatus 1.

Higher Taxa in Extant Reptiles 2.

THE REPTILE DATABASE 3.

Vitt L.J., Caldwell J.P. Herpetology. An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. — Academic Press, 2009.