Wild Side: Dan the legless lizard visits from Tanganyika

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Tanganyika Wildlife Park Director Matt Fouts brought in Dan, a legless lizard, to KSN’s Wild Side Wednesday afternoon.

Fouts says there are a few things that make a legless lizard different from a snake.

“[They have a] slightly different bone structure than what snakes would have,” said Fouts. “Up by his head, he’s got some ear holes, so you can kind of see those, a little bit different there, and then where that lateral line is, it’ll stop. So it stops about right here, and then everything beyond that is his tail.”

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The legless lizard Fouts brought in can drop its tail as a defense mechanism.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is hosting its annual fundraiser, Twilight Tour 2024 – Party With A Purpose, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, for those 21 and up. The event is being held to support the preservation of the critically endangered African Black-footed penguin and raise funds for the nonprofit Tanganyika Wildlife Foundation. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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