9 Fun & Strange Facts About Lizards

Delving into the facts about lizards can be overwhelming. Lizards are a diverse group of squamate reptiles, encompassing many species, excluding snakes. However, some lizards are more closely related to snakes than other lizards, leading to a paraphyletic grouping. They range from tiny chameleons to 3-meter-long Komodo dragons. Most are quadrupedal, using a side-to-side running motion; some legless species resemble snakes. 

Despite their widespread familiarity, there are still several lesser-known facts about lizards. Let’s unfold a few strange facts about lizards that make them different from other reptiles.

9 Fun Facts About Lizards

1: Lizards Have Over 7,000 Species

Lizards comprise 7,000+ species on every continent except Antarctica. Some species include the leopard gecko, bearded dragon, chameleon, green iguana, Gila monster, and monitor lizard. Each species features its unique adaptations and characteristics. Some species, like the Gargoyle Lizard, Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, Fiji Crested Iguana, Psychedelic Rock Lizard, and hidden dragon, are endangered.

2: Lizards Can Detach their Tails

Lizards can undergo tail autotomy, the self-detachment of their tails, as a defense mechanism against predators or threats. Once detached, the tail can move independently for 30 minutes, distracting predators and helping the lizard escape. However, this tail detachment is not life-threatening for the lizards, and many can regrow their tails quickly. A lizard’s tail features natural fracture lines and muscles that aid tail detachment. This process is called Caudal Autonomy.

Some species of lizards, like iguanas, skinks, and bearded dragons, can even regrow their tails, while others, like monitors and chameleons, cannot. Tail regrowth occurs by forming a thin layer of skin, followed by the regeneration of the spinal cord protected by a cartilage tube.

3: Most Lizards Have Eyelids

Yes! Most lizards have eyelids, which they use to protect their eyes when blinking in response to bright lights or dust. Some lizards have two eyelids: a clear and a pigmented one. The clear eyelid helps the lizard protect the open eye, and the pigmented eyelid helps close the eyes. 

4: Most Lizards Can Swim

Yes! Not all, but some lizards can swim and dive, too. They keep their nose out in the air to breathe while swimming. However, when they dive, they take a deep breath to hold their breath underwater. Basilisk Lizards, or “Jesus Christ lizards,” can run on water due to scaly fringes on their third, fourth, and fifth toes. The fringes, combined with momentum from running, allow Basilisk Lizards to stay afloat while fleeing predators temporarily. 

The Marine Galapagos Lizard can dive under the water of more than 65 feet. These lizards swim in a snake-like motion to collect algae, which they scrape off rocks using their sharp teeth and claws. These lizards can hold their breath for up to an hour while swimming for algae.

5: Lizards are Cold-Blooded

Lizards are ectothermic (cold-blooded) creatures whose body temperature fluctuates with the environment. Cold-blooded animals regulate their temperature through sun exposure to warm up, seek shade or use water to cool down. Energy for cold-blooded animals comes from converting food into kilojoules through metabolic processes.

Cold-blooded creatures may feel sluggish in cold temperatures as their metabolism decreases during this time, reducing energy production. 

6: Lizards Live Almost Everywhere 

Lizards live on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in diverse habitats like marshes, rocky mountain sides, and forests. Their adaptability enables them to inhabit various environments worldwide, making them ubiquitous creatures.

Since lizards are cold-blooded, they gravitate towards locations with ample sunlight to regulate their body temperature. Many lizards seek shelter in burrows, caves, or crevices during rest and emerge to bask on rocks for warmth in the morning. Some tree-dwelling lizards warm themselves by sunning on leaves, showcasing their ability to utilize different habitats for thermoregulation.

7: Komodo Dragon is the King of Lizards

Komodo dragons, the king of lizards, are the largest and heaviest of over 3,000 lizard species alive today. They can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and weigh up to 300 pounds. Being so large, these reptiles have a big appetite and can eat as much as 80% of their body weight in a single meal. According to fossil records, despite being named after the Indonesian island of Komodo, they originated in Australia and migrated to the Indonesian islands around 900,000 years ago.

Today, komodo dragons face numerous threats, including legal and illegal hunting, habitat loss, poaching of prey species, and climate change. In 2019, the IUCN Red List listed them as endangered, with as few as 1,380 individuals remaining in their native habitat. Many Komodo dragons are found in the Komodo National Park (a National Park in Indonesia).

8: Some Lizards Make Sounds 

While lizards are not known for their conversational nature, some species do make sounds. Some species produce hissing sounds in situations of discomfort and fear. The species, Geckos, are the chattiest and make sounds (chirps, squeaks, and clicking sounds) primarily to attract mates, communicate their presence to potential partners, and assert their territorial boundaries. Unlike most non-avian reptiles, geckos possess a well-developed larynx with cartilages and muscles that allow them to modulate the tension on their vocal cords. 

9: Some Lizards Can Change Color 

Most lizards can change color, typically from lighter to darker shades, with some species exhibiting more dramatic transformations. Certain lizards, like anoles and chameleons, can undergo significant color changes, ranging from bright green to brown or vibrant patterns to dull hues. 

Melanophores, the pigment cells, permit color change. The lizard appears light in color when the pigment is concentrated and dark when it is dispersed throughout the cells. 

Conclusion

Lizards have thrived for millions of years and exhibit various sizes, from tiny geckos to massive Komodo dragons. Their adaptability has contributed to their success, making them one of Earth’s most-lived animal groups. Highlighted above are several lesser-known facts about lizards that set them apart from other reptiles. The study of these creatures provides valuable insights into evolution, ecology, and the intricate interconnectedness of life on our planet. 

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