This large, legless lizard ranges across southern Australia from south-eastern Queensland to Shark Bay in WA.

It has a rounded snout and its tail is more than twice the length of its head and body ( Its body measures 290 mm and the tail another 330 mm). The back scales have keels, or ridges. The upper surface is grey to tan, striped, spotted or blotched with darker, pale edged markings. There are dark bars on its lips and the sides of its neck. The see through lower eyelid covers the eye and the pupil is vertical. There are no front limbs and only scaly flaps instead of hind limbs.

This scaly foot hunts spiders and insects on the ground during the day. It rolls with them to kill them then laps up the body fluids. It faces danger by raising its head and flattening its neck like a snake. The tail is easily broken off.

A female lays 2 eggs under a rock or log with the eggs of other females.