Why is the *Giant Slow Worm* structurally distinct from the lineage leading to true snakes like the worm snake?

It is a legless lizard and retains some reptilian features distinct from specific snake modifications

The *Giant Slow Worm* serves as an important comparative example when discussing limblessness, but it is crucial to note its classification. The Giant Slow Worm is actually a legless lizard, not a true snake, despite sharing an elongated form. This means that while both groups lack limbs, the evolutionary path taken to achieve this body plan differs between the lizard lineage and the Squamata lineage leading to snakes. The slow worm retains certain reptilian characteristics that clearly differentiate it from the snake body plan, highlighting that the specific evolutionary path resulting in modern snakes involved unique modifications, especially concerning skull and jaw structure, beyond just the shedding of legs.