Anniellidae -

Traditionally, this family was thought to contain only one or two species. However, a major taxonomic revision in 2013 identified several new species based on genetic and morphological data. Currently, the family includes one genus, , with six recognized species:

Anniellids are roughly the size of a pencil (about 20cm) with smooth, shiny scales that vary from silvery-beige to dark brown or black. They possess several features that distinguish them from snakes: Unlike snakes, they can blink.

( A. campi ): Restricted to a few sites in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Key Physical Characteristics

They can drop their tails to distract predators.

( A. pulchra ): Found from the San Francisco Bay Area south through central California.

( A. stebbinsi ): Wide-ranging throughout Southern California and into Mexico.

( A. alexanderae ): Found in a very limited range at the base of the Temblor Mountains.