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.”

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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