Text from the Wikipedia entry for Vermisquamidae, reproduced outside the image for accessibility

Vermisquamidae refers to small but diverse family of lizards native to the Papagaios Islands. The group is notable for their long thin bodies, reduced limbs - especially hind limbs, and row of osteoderms along their back. The most well-known species are members of the legless genera from which the scientific name (meaning scaled worm) derives. The groups contains about 42 species in 5 genera, though many are now endangered.

Morphology

Vermisquamids have hard osteoderms beneath their scales giving them an armored appearance in the head and along the spine, giving them a form of armor against attacks from above. Many of the species have reduced of absent limbs, giving them a snake-like appearance. They typically range in size from 7cm to 60cm, but riverine species can exceed 1m in length

Feeding and habitat

The majority of vermisquamids feed on insects or other small lizards, thought a handful of the larger species are omnivorous. Across the Papagaios Islands, they live in habitats including grasslands, forests, rivers and sand dunes. The greatest diversity is found in the islands' forests where species are most commonly found beneath the leaf litter or in the undergrowth. Despite this prevalence in forests, no known species is arboreal

Venom

While described as legless, vermisquamids still possess their forelimbs. In most species these are reduced to a short limb and single oversized digit possessing a large claw. When threatened, these limbs will be held out to the side and the animal will thrash its head around, aiming to injure with its spikes. Members of the type genus Vermisquamus produce a form of venom, administered by the claws. It is non-lethal, but a severe irritant and all but the most determined predators will flee rather than risk a second dose.