Lizards are small reptiles of the order Squamata, which they share with the snakes (Ophidians). Lizards are cold-blooded reptiles that have long tails and four legs.
There are about 2,700 species of lizard on our planet, with only two species being poisonous, the Beaded lizard and the Gila Monster, (pictured left), both from Mexico.
However, recent research has revealed that in fact many lizards in the iguanians and monitor (lizard) families have venom-producing glands. None of these pose much danger to humans, as their poison is introduced slowly by chewing, rather than injected as with venomous snakes.
Lizards have external ear openings and movable eyelids which make them very versatile creatures. Species range in adult length from a few centimetres (some Caribbean geckos) to nearly three metres (Komodo dragons). Lizards exist in varies sizes, colors and shapes.
Lizards have a slimy appearance, but they are actually dry. Some lizards such as the Glass Lizard (pictured left) have no functional arms and like many lizards, their tails will break off as a defence mechanism.
While the predator eats the lizards tail, the lizard escapes and its tail will eventually re-grow. Many lizards are also capable of the regeneration of lost limbs meaning that if the lizard loses a limb through conflict with a predator, it will grow back just like their tails.
Many species of lizard change color in response to environmental changes or stress. One of the most well known lizards of this feature is the Chameleon Lizard. These lizards have special cells that lie in layers underneath their transparent skins. The layers contain color pigments that influence the color of the Chameleon.
Another lizard species capable of color change are the Anoles, a family of lizards closely related to iguanas. Anoles also change color in response to surroundings and mood. There are about 300 species of Anoles and they all have different coloring and color transitions. Anoles are small and common lizards that can be found throughout the southeastern United States, the Caribbean and various other regions of the Western world. A large majority of them sport a green coloration, including the only species native to North America, the aptly named Green anole.
The green anole can change its color from a bright, leafy green to a dull brown color, while the Cuban brown species can only change its shade of brown, along with the patterns on its back.
Lizard Habitats
Lizards live all over our planet except the polar regions as it is too cold for them to survive. Most live in trees such as the frilled lizard. Some live on the ground. Only a few live in the water like the great marine iguana. Lizards, like most reptiles have to regulate their own body temperature and will bask in the sun to warm up and move to a shade to cool down.
Lizard Diet
Lizards typically feed on insects, birds or rodents. A few species are omnivorous or herbivorous. One familiar example of a herbivorous lizard is the iguana, which is unable to properly digest animal protein. Most lizards eat insects (they are insectivores).
Lizard Reproduction
Most lizards lay eggs, though a few species are capable of live birth such as the Slow Worm, a legless lizard that resembles a small snake. Slow Worms reproduce from eggs which the female incubates within her body. The incubation period is about 90 to 100 days. In smaller egg laying lizards, female lizards around lay 8 – 12 soft-shelled eggs in a clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time).
Some lizards such as the Komodo Dragon digs a hole in the ground and lays 20 – 40 eggs. It then covers them up with dirt. The eggs hatch in about 7 months. Hatchlings eat mostly insects and live in trees.
Chameleons lay white, oval, tough-skinned eggs, which are buried in warm sand until they hatch.
Lizards As Pets
Species of lizards sold as pets include iguanas, bearded dragon, leopard geckos, tegus and monitor lizards. In general, lizards require more maintenance than other exotic pets. Their faeces are usually more offensive, requiring frequent cage cleanings. Finding a veterinarian whose practice includes lizards is also important.
Many lizards, like bearded dragons, are omnivores. This means that they eat foods from plants, like fruits and vegetables, and they also eat insects and small animals. Smaller lizards tend to stick with insects, but larger ones also eat small mammals.
Habitat: Lizards live in deserts, forests, prairies, marshes, and rocky areas. Most lizards live on the ground or in trees. Lizards are fun and easy to watch.
Some of the larger lizards like the Gila Monster are carnivores. They eat small animals including other lizards. Most lizards find their food visually through movement. Whiptails may use their sense of smell to find small animals under in the soil.
Offer a variety of foods such as insects (eg, meal worms, snails, slugs, worms), clover, dandelion, mulberry leaves, milk thistle, watercress, chopped fruits and vegetables (such as bananas, apple, pawpaw, pears, green beans, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, parsley and tomato).
Depending on the situation, house lizards with constant water sources can live between 10 to 30 days without food. However, they can only hold up to a maximum of three days with no water. Before they would even feel hunger, they would die out of dehydration.
The lizard lifespan depends on the species of lizards you're talking about; Gecko lasts about 10-15 years in a typical home, Chameleons live 5-7 years, Iguanas live about 20 years of age and Komodo Dragons live for an average of 40 years in the biggest of the reptiles.
Lizards have conical or bladelike bicuspid or tricuspid teeth. Some species have conical teeth at the front of the jaws and cuspid teeth toward the rear, but the latter are not comparable to the molars of mammals in either form or function. (They are neither flat-crowned nor used to grind food.)
Generally speaking, lizards of medium size can last for about a week, and more can last for ten days. Some large lizards such as varanus can persist without eating or drinking for a month or even two months.
Lizards will sleep almost anywhere they feel safe and comfortable. Smaller lizards tend to hide in cracks and crevices where they can't be reached by predators, while large lizards with few predators, like monitors and Komodo dragons, will sleep in more open areas.
Tuatara probably have the slowest growth rates of any reptile, continuing to grow larger for the first 35 years of their lives. The average lifespan is about 60 years, but they can live to be well over 100 years old; tuatara could be the reptile with the second longest lifespan after tortoises.
Most of the commonly kept pet lizards are insectivores and will thrive on insects, but fruits, plants, and small animals are also great options for some lizards. For example, a good diet for a bearded dragon might include leafy greens as well as crickets, and even frozen mice.
While some animals have developed ways of extracting water from the food they eat, or reducing water lost through evaporation, desert dwelling lizards don't drink water at all; they absorb it through their skin. Scientists have always suspected that lizards absorb water much like their amphibious neighbors.
Upon selecting a location, females dig holes to carefully bury their eggs. Lizard hatchlings emerge between May and July, but about 40 percent of them don't make it to adulthood.
Young geckos eat daily, while some large adults may only need to eat every other day, depending on their overall health and breeding activity. Most geckos eat predominantly mealworms and crickets, but depending on their size, they can also be fed a variety of the other worms listed above.
Reptiles typically consume 1-4% of their bodyweight in food per day. Depending on the size of your pet reptile, they may fall into the lower or higher range. Larger animals will fall into the lower range and smaller or juvenile animals will fall into the higher end of the range.
Collared Lizard: Eats insects, smaller lizards, and occasionally small mammals. Some Species of Iguanas: While generally herbivorous, some are more opportunistic and eat insects, small animals, and eggs. Horned Lizard: Specializes in eating ants, but will also consume beetles and other small insects.
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Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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