Burton's legless lizard is generally a diurnal feeder as prey is most commonly encountered during the day but it can be active at any time.
This is highlighted as its movements tend to be nocturnal to take advantage of benefits such as reduced risks of hyperthermia during hot conditions and reduced risks of predation from diurnal predators like raptors.
Another reason for it to move at night is to avoid revealing its ambush position in the day when it has the highest likelihood of encountering an otherwise unsuspecting prey item.
In addition, there is geographic variation in movement and feeding patterns which is expected as this species is very widespread and inhabits a variety of different environments.

This lizard is a visually oriented predator that strikes based on movement and requires shelter to ambush its prey.
Shelter is also required to hide from predators and may be particularly important after feeding as individuals become more sedentary than usual which is thought to be an anti-predator response.

Alternatively, shelter also plays a key role in lizard thermoregulation.
Deep leaf litter for example, is very good shelter as individuals can bury themselves at an appropriate depth to regulate temperature and remain hidden at the same time.

Burton's legless lizard also uses caudal luring as a feeding strategy which is rare in lizards.

Notably, this behaviour only occurs if its initial ambush attack is unsuccessful in capturing its intended prey.
However, this tactic is not exhibited every time that prey escapes as the likelihood of this tactic being used increases with time since an individual's last meal.
Caudal luring can be used to recapture prey in 3 ways as it can be used to lure prey towards it, to distract prey at the moment that it strikes or both.

Feeding strategies are a very important behaviour for this species as the lizards it eats can often be large enough to inflict a retaliatory bite that could cause serious harm.
This is thought to be the reason that this species will modify its strike precision according to prey size as strikes at large prey will be directed at either the head or neck to prevent them from biting back.
Furthermore, Burton's legless lizard will hold large prey until it is incapacitated before swallowing to prevent harm to itself whereas it swallows small prey that is still struggling as swallowing live prey costs less energy than waiting for it to be incapacitated.

This species also has a tendency to vocalise, especially, when it is threatened.
Furthermore, if it is seized by a predator it can drop its tail like many other lizards.
However, there are substantial costs associated with a lizard losing its tail as it requires time and energy to grow back.
Burton's legless lizard is generally a diurnal feeder as prey is most commonly encountered during the day but it can be active at any time. This is highlighted as its movements tend to be nocturnal to take advantage of benefits such as reduced risks of hyperthermia during hot conditions and reduced risks of predation from diurnal predators like raptors. Another reason for it to move at night is to avoid revealing its ambush position in the day when it has the highest likelihood of encountering an otherwise unsuspecting prey item. In addition, there is geographic variation in movement and feeding patterns which is expected as this species is very widespread and inhabits a variety of different environments.
This lizard is a visually oriented predator that strikes based on movement and requires shelter to ambush its prey. Shelter is also required to hide from predators and may be particularly important after feeding as individuals become more sedentary than usual which is thought to be an anti-predator response.
Alternatively, shelter also plays a key role in lizard thermoregulation. Deep leaf litter for example, is very good shelter as individuals can bury themselves at an appropriate depth to regulate temperature and remain hidden at the same time.
Burton's legless lizard also uses caudal luring as a feeding strategy which is rare in lizards.
Notably, this behaviour only occurs if its initial ambush attack is unsuccessful in capturing its intended prey. However, this tactic is not exhibited every time that prey escapes as the likelihood of this tactic being used increases with time since an individual's last meal. Caudal luring can be used to recapture prey in 3 ways as it can be used to lure prey towards it, to distract prey at the moment that it strikes or both.
Feeding strategies are a very important behaviour for this species as the lizards it eats can often be large enough to inflict a retaliatory bite that could cause serious harm. This is thought to be the reason that this species will modify its strike precision according to prey size as strikes at large prey will be directed at either the head or neck to prevent them from biting back. Furthermore, Burton's legless lizard will hold large prey until it is incapacitated before swallowing to prevent harm to itself whereas it swallows small prey that is still struggling as swallowing live prey costs less energy than waiting for it to be incapacitated.
This species also has a tendency to vocalise, especially, when it is threatened. Furthermore, if it is seized by a predator it can drop its tail like many other lizards. However, there are substantial costs associated with a lizard losing its tail as it requires time and energy to grow back.
Burton's legless lizard