Night lizards were originally thought to be nocturnal because of their secretive lifestyle, but they are at least in some cases diurnal.

Night lizards have evolved to live in very narrow environmental niches—"microhabitat specialization"—such as rock crevices or damp logs, and may spend their entire life under the same cover.

Their heads are covered by large, smooth plates, while their bodies have rougher, granular skin.

Their eyes, like those of snakes, are covered by immoveable, transparent membranes that function as eyelids.

However, the covert lifestyle of night lizards has contributed to a high life expectancy.