A critically endangered limbless lizard, Barkudia Insularis, has been caught on film for the first time ever.

Since 1917, there have been only four recorded sightings of this extremely rare skink.

A four-member Snake Helpline team spent three months tracking it down following a lead and then pored over all available scientific literature to correctly identify the specimen.

They finally found it at Buguda in Ganjam district, filmed, and released it back into its habitat.

Subhendu Mallik, who led the expedition, said: “The lizard was first discovered by a British zoologist Nelson Annandale in 1917. After that it was sighted in 1979 and 2003, but has eluded efforts by researchers to even locate it.”

Not much is known about this reptile except that it usually feeds on termites and small insects. It is a burrowing lizard, which can grow up to 279 mm.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Barkudia Insularis as a critically endangered species.

“There are reports of local population killing Barkudia Insularis mistaking it for a baby snake. Government should create awareness to protect it,” said Subhendu.