They have unusually long, slender bodies, giving them a strong resemblance to snakes.

Some species are insectivorous burrowing animals, but others are adapted to moving through dense spinifex or other vegetation.

The pygopodids and other geckos share a number of characteristics: Legless lizards are often killed due to their similar appearance to snakes.

[6] A number of external characteristics can be used to distinguish legless lizards (including the hooded scaly-foot) from snakes:[8][6][7] Pygopodids can hear tones higher than any other reptiles.

Individuals in the species Delma pax can respond to a 60-decibel sound with a frequency of 11,100 Hz, more than an octave above the highest note on a standard piano.