Lizards belong to the class of reptiles. Their defining characteristics include a long tail, two pairs of legs that protrude outward relative to the torso, and scaly skin. Most lizards are cold-blooded animals and depend on environmental conditions to regulate their body temperature. There are many types of lizards found throughout the world. Different types of lizards have different distinctive characteristics, which makes them interesting to study. Some of them even look prehistoric or sci-fi movie creatures!
Gecko currents
Gecko currents ( Gekko gecko) - a species of nocturnal reptiles belonging to the genus Gekkofound in Asia, as well as on some islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Toki gecko has a sturdy body, large head, strong limbs and jaws compared to other gecko species. It is a large lizard that reaches 30 to 35 centimeters in length. Despite the fact that the Toki gecko disguises itself as its environment, it usually has a grayish color with red spots. Its body is cylindrical in shape and smooth in texture. Toki geckos are sexually dimorphic, resulting in a brighter coloration of males than females. They feed on insects and other small ones. Strong jaws allow them to crush insect exoskeleton with ease.
Marine iguana
Marine iguana ( Amblyrhynchus cristatu) is a species of lizard found only in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, with each island home to marine iguanas of varying sizes and shapes. Recently, their populations have been threatened by the large number of predators that feed on lizards and their eggs. Marine iguanas are marine reptiles that are often referred to as ugly and disgusting because of their appearance. Despite their fierce gaze, marine iguanas are gentle. Their color is mainly black soot. The long, flattened tail helps them swim, and the flat and sharp claws allow them to cling to rocks in case of strong currents. Marine iguanas often sneeze to clear salt from their nostrils. Besides sneezing, they have special glands that secrete excess salt.
Lesser girdle tail
Small girdle tails ( Cordylus cataphractus) lives in desert and semi-desert areas. They are mainly found along the west coast of South Africa. Lizards were used in the pet trade for a long time until they were threatened with extinction. The small girdle tail is either light brown or dark brown, and the lower torso is yellow with dark stripes. They are diurnal reptiles that feed on small plants, as well as other types of small lizards and rodents. If the lizard senses danger, it inserts its tail into its mouth to form a spherical shape that allows it to roll. In this form, the spines on the back are exposed, protecting the lesser girdle from predators.
Agama Mwanza
Agama Mwanza ( Agama mwanzae) are found in most sub-Saharan countries. They are usually 13-30 cm long and males are 8-13 cm longer than females. These lizards usually live in small groups with one male as leader. The dominant male is allowed to breed, while other males cannot mate with females in the group, unless they eliminate the main male or form their own group. Agamas Mwanza feed on insects, reptiles, small mammals and vegetation. They mate during the rainy season. Before mating, the male digs small holes using his muzzle. After mating, the females lay eggs in the holes. The incubation period is 8 to 10 weeks.
Komodo dragon
Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis) is the largest known species of lizard. They inhabit the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinka, Flores and Gili Motang. Mature monitor lizards weigh 70 kg on average and are about 3 meters long. Komodo monitor lizards hunt from ambush for various prey, which include birds, invertebrates, small mammals, and in rare cases - people. Its bite is venomous. The protein poison they inject when they bite can cause victims to lose consciousness, drop blood pressure, muscle paralysis and hypothermia. Komodo monitor lizards breed from May to August, while females lay eggs from August to September.
Moloch
(Moloch horridus) is mainly found in the Australian deserts. It grows up to 20 cm and has a life expectancy of 15 to 16 years. Its color is usually brown or olive. Moloch camouflages in cold weather, changing the skin tone to a darker one. Its body is covered with thorns for protection. The lizard also has soft tissues that resemble its head. The tissues are located on the upper part of the neck and serve as protection, in which the spiny dragon hides its real head when it senses danger. Moloch has another amazing desert survival mechanism. Its complex skin structure under the action of capillary force helps to fuse water into the lizard's mouth. The basis of the moloch's diet is ants.
Arizona gila monster
Arizona Gila monster ( Heloderma suspectum) is a poisonous species of lizards that lives in the desert and rocky regions of Mexico and the United States. These reptiles have flattened triangular heads that are larger in males than in females. Long, thick and cylindrical body, wider in females. Their diet consists of reptile eggs, birds and rodents. Hunting skills are characterized by a strong sense of smell and hearing. The Arizona gila moth can hear the vibrations of its prey from afar and smell buried eggs. The large body and tail are used to store fat and water reserves, which allows them to survive in deserts. Dry and flaky scales prevent excessive water loss from the lizard's body.
Parson's Chameleon
Parson's Chameleon ( Calumma parsonii) - the largest chameleon in mass in the world. It is found in Madagascar. The large and triangular head has independently moving eyes. Males have two horny structures directed from the eyes to the nose. Females lay up to fifty eggs, which can incubate for up to 2 years. Upon hatching, Parson's young chameleons immediately become independent. Due to their unusual appearance, they are imported for home maintenance in other countries. However, most reptiles die during transport. Parson's chameleons are immobile animals that perform a minimum of movement only for feeding, drinking and mating.
Blade-tailed gecko
Blade-tailed gecko ( Ptychozoon kuhli) is found in Asia, especially in India, Indonesia, southern Thailand and Singapore. They have unusual leathery outgrowths on the sides of their bodies and webbed legs. They feed on crickets, wax and meal worms. They are nocturnal reptiles. Males are very territorial and difficult to keep in a cage. They disguise themselves as tree bark, which helps to avoid meeting with predators. Lobe-tailed geckos live inside trees and jump from branch to branch, especially when they sense danger.
Iguana rhino
Iguana rhinoceros ( Cyclura cornuta) is an endangered species of lizards that lives on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. They have a horn-like outgrowth on their muzzle, similar to that of a rhinoceros. The length of the rhino iguanas is 60-136 cm, and the mass ranges from 4.5 kg to 9 kg. Their colors range from grayish to dark green and brown. Rhino Iguanas have large bodies and heads. Their tail is vertically flattened and quite strong. They are sexually dimorphic and males are larger than females. After mating, females lay 2 to 34 eggs over 40 days. Their eggs are among the largest among lizards.
A lizard is an animal that belongs to the class reptiles (reptiles), the squamous order, and the suborder lizards. In Latin, the suborder of the lizard is called Lacertilia, previously the name was Sauria.
The reptile got its name from the word "lizard", which came from the Old Russian word "skora", meaning "skin".
The largest lizard in the world - the Komodo dragon
The smallest lizard in the world
The smallest lizards in the world are the Haraguan sphero (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) and the Virginian round-footed gecko (Sphaerodactylus parthenopion). The sizes of babies do not exceed 16-19 mm, and their weight reaches 0.2 grams. These cute and harmless reptiles live in the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands.
Where do lizards live?
Various types of lizards live on all continents except Antarctica. Representatives of reptiles familiar to Russia are real lizards that live almost everywhere: they can be found in the fields, in the forest, in the steppes, gardens, in the mountains, deserts, near rivers and lakes. All types of lizards move well on any surfaces, clinging tightly to all kinds of bumps and bumps. The rocky species of lizards are excellent jumpers; the jump height of these mountain inhabitants reaches 4 meters.
What do lizards eat in nature?
Basically, the lizard is a predator, it goes hunting early in the morning or at sunset. The main food of lizards is invertebrates: various insects (butterflies, grasshoppers, locusts, slugs, snails), as well as arachnids, worms and molluscs.
Large predators, such as the monitor lizard, hunt small animals - frogs, snakes, their own kind, and also happily eat the eggs of birds and reptiles. The Komodo lizard, the largest lizard in the world, attacks wild boars and even buffaloes and deer. The moloch lizard feeds exclusively on ants, and the pink-tongued skink eats only terrestrial mollusks. Some large iguana and skink lizards are almost entirely vegetarian, with a menu of ripe fruits, leaves, flowers and pollen.
Lizards in nature are extremely cautious and agile, stealthily approach the intended victim, and then attack with a swift dash and seize the prey in their mouths.
The domestic lizard is a rather unpretentious pet in terms of the daily menu. In the warm season, she needs three meals a day; in the winter, you can transfer the lizard to two meals a day, since its mobility and energy are noticeably reduced.
At home, the lizard feeds on insects, so your pet will definitely appreciate the different "taste" of crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, spiders, and she will not refuse fresh raw eggs or pieces of meat. Domestic lizards love a mixture of chopped boiled chicken, grated carrots and lettuce or dandelion leaves. Supplement this feed with a supplement of vitamins and minerals - and your pet will only be grateful to you. The lizard in the terrarium must have fresh water to drink! Even if the pet refuses food for some time, but drinks with pleasure, there is no reason to worry: the lizard just slightly reduced its activity and is not hungry enough.
Breeding lizards
The mating season for lizards always falls in the spring and early summer. Large species of lizards breed once a year, small ones several times per season. Rival males approach each other sideways, trying to look larger. The smaller one usually surrenders without a fight and retreats. If the lizards are males of the same size, a bloody fight ensues, during which competitors bite fiercely. The winner gets the female. A disturbance in the sex ratio in some lizard species leads to parthenogenesis, when female lizards lay eggs without the participation of a male. There are 2 ways to breed lizards: laying eggs and live birth.
Females of small species of lizards lay no more than 4 eggs, large ones - up to 18 eggs. Egg weight can vary from 4 to 200 grams. The egg size of the world's smallest lizard, the round-footed gecko, does not exceed 6 mm in diameter. The egg size of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, reaches a length of 10 cm.
Future "mothers" bury their clutch in the ground, hide it under stones or in holes. The incubation period depends on climatic conditions and lasts from 3 weeks to 1.5 months. Having hatched, the newborn lizard cubs immediately begin an independent life without parental involvement. The pregnancy of viviparous lizards lasts 3 months, the embryos of the northern species winter safely in the womb. The lizard has a lifespan of 3 to 5 years.
Birth of a lizard (species - spotted leopard eublefar, Latin Eublepharis macularius)
Lizards exterminate insect pests, thus providing invaluable benefits to humanity. Many exotic species are popular terrarium pets: bearded agama, real iguana, Yemeni chameleon and others.
With proper care, lizards breed well in captivity, increasing the artificial population.
- Basilisk lizards can walk on water, this effect is achieved by fast and very frequent fingering of the hind limbs. At the same time, the running speed of the lizards reaches 12 km / h, and they can run like this up to 400 meters.
- While most animals perceive the world in black and white, lizards see their surroundings in orange.
- In Colombia, lizard eggs are a delicacy. People catch pregnant lizards, cut their belly, take out eggs and rub wood ash into the wound. Then the lizard is released. Eggs from iguanas and monitor lizards are mainly hunted.
As of 2014, there are 5907 species of lizards on the planet. Below is a list of ten of the most unusual lizards in the world, which differ from their relatives in their original appearance or behavior.
The fantastic leaf-tailed gecko, also known as the satanic gecko, is a species of gecko that lives on the trunks and branches of trees in tropical rainforests only on the Madagascar Islands. Adults reach 9-14 cm in length and weigh from 10 to 30 grams. They are nocturnal, hunting insects. These amazing animals are endowed with the ability to mimicry - to merge with the bark of trees, dry leaves, etc. Due to deforestation, they are endangered. They are often found in terrariums around the world.
Moloch, also known as the "thorny devil", is a rather unusual species of lizard that is widespread in deserts and semi-deserts in western and central Australia. The body length of an adult does not exceed 20 cm, with a weight of 50 to 100 g. Active during the day. It feeds exclusively on ants, usually of small species. During the day, the "thorny devil" is able to eat several thousand ants, which it catches with the help of a sticky tongue.
Blade-tailed geckos
Lobe-tailed geckos or flying geckos are a genus of geckos, numbering 7 species. They live in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Nicobar Islands (India), as well as the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Love tropical woodland. They spend most of their life in trees, along which they move very quickly. They live in hollows. Active at night. They feed on insects and small invertebrates. Their total body length is 20–23 cm. A characteristic feature of these geckos is their ability to jump up to 60 m from one tree to another.
Philippine sailing lizard
In seventh place on the list of the most unusual lizards in the world is the Philippine sailing lizard, which is found only in the Philippines. These lizards are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, flowers, insects and small mammals. They prefer to settle in humid forests near water, rivers, rice fields, etc. Adults are able to grow up to one meter long. Excellent swimmers.
The common conolof is a species of large lizards from the iguana family. They live in the earthen holes dug by them only in the Galapagos archipelago, on the islands of San Salvador, Santa Cruz, Isabela and Fernandina. Their body length reaches 125 cm, weight 13 kg. They feed exclusively on plants growing on the ground, sometimes on fallen fruits. 80% of their diet consists of sprouts and flowers of prickly pears (a plant from the Cactus family).
The marine iguana is an unusual lizard that lives exclusively in the Galapagos Islands. It is found mainly on rocky shores, salt bogs and mangroves. The marine iguana is not very skilled on land, however, it swims and dives well. He knows how to hold his breath for 1 hour, and also has a unique ability among modern lizards - to spend most of the time at sea. It feeds mainly on algae, sometimes on small vertebrates. The total length of their body reaches 140 cm, of which more than half is taken by the tail, weighing up to 12 kg.
Flying dragon (Draco volans)
The flying dragon is a kind of unusual lizard, common in Indonesia on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Timor, as well as in West Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippine Islands (Palawan), Singapore and Vietnam. Their body length reaches about 20 cm. On its sides there are wide leathery folds stretched between six "false" ribs. When they open, a kind of "wings" are formed, with the help of which dragons can glide in the air at a distance of up to 60 meters. They live on the tops of trees in tropical forests, where they spend a significant part of their lives. They descend to the ground only in two cases - for laying eggs and if the flight is not successful. They feed on insects, mainly ants and termites.
Lesser Belted Tail is a species of lizard found in the rocky, desert regions of southern Africa. Their body length ranges from 15 to 21 cm. On the head and back there are solid bone plates like a shell. It feeds on insects and small invertebrates. It lives in groups of up to 60 individuals, hiding in gorges and crevices. In case of danger, they are able to curl into a ring, grabbing their tail with their mouth. It is considered one of the most thorny animals in the world.
The most unusual lizard in the world is the Frilled Lizard, which lives in dry forests and forest-steppes in northwestern Australia and southern New Guinea. Their body length reaches 80–90 cm, weight is 0.5 kg. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates, mainly spiders and small reptiles. In case of danger, the lizard is able to suddenly open a brightly colored collar (and this movement is accompanied by the simultaneous opening of a wide mouth), which scares away many enemies, including snakes and dogs. An interesting feature of the frilled lizard is its ability to run on its hind legs, keeping its body almost vertical.
Pets living with us in the same apartment or house are becoming more sophisticated and interesting. The classic ones are less and less common: cats, dogs and birds. Increasingly, people are settling various insects, arachnids and reptiles. Various kinds of lizards are especially common, and this is not surprising, because many of them are very cute and friendly, which allows each of them to become a replacement for the notorious kitty or puppy.
There are a lot of lizards suitable for home living. This material contains some of the most popular of them. With a description of their features, as well as photo materials for each species.
Chameleons
- Yemeni chameleon Is a fairly popular species, often found as a pet. The reason for such love for the Yemeni chameleon was its unpretentiousness in terms of keeping and nutrition. Appearance: adults often reach up to 60 centimeters in length (females are slightly inferior). Chameleon color changes during periods of stress and pregnancy. Conditions of detention: this species must be kept alone, having allocated a large terrarium to the lizard, with ventilation. The chameleon feeds on small insects.
- Three-horned chameleon - not yet so widespread, but very bright and noticeable representative of lizards. Appearance: the chameleon justifies its name by its extraordinary appearance, the three-horned chameleon has a bright green color. There are three horns on the head, one straight and two curved. A curved tail used as a hook. Conditions of detention: the individual should be kept in the same conditions as other chameleons: a large, vertical terrarium, with good ventilation, while being single.
Agamaceae
Monitor lizards
- Black and white tegu - a typical representative of the lizards of South America. Appearance: this individual often reaches sizes up to one and a half meters. This representative of monitor lizards is a predator that gets out of the hole during the day, eating small and large animals, which can catch up. Conditions of detention: to keep such in captivity, you will need a truly gigantic terrarium, or better a whole corral. Chicks, locusts, rats must be included in the lizard's diet. It is enough to look at the photo of this “dinosaur” to understand that everything is serious.
Geckos
- The fat-tailed gecko is a very small and even cute representative of the lizard family. In nature, it leads a rather secretive lifestyle. It is found throughout West Africa. Appearance: The size of a gecko rarely exceeds 30 centimeters. Due to its "compactness", the fat-tailed gecko easily fits even in a small terrarium. Conditions of detention: hundreds of liters is enough to seat three females and one male there. You cannot put two males in one terrarium. This will lead to a constant struggle for territory. These lizards feed on small insects and artificial, vitamin-rich food for reptiles.
- Leopard lizard - another representative of geckos. Larger, but at the same time more popular among exotic lovers. Appearance: This lizard is not easily called the namesake of the leopard. It is a similar spotted color that causes similar associations and sets it apart from other geckos. The spotted gecko reaches an average of 30 centimeters in length. The gecko fascinates at first glance, take a look at the photo below to see for yourself. Housing conditions: as in the case of the fat-tailed gecko, you can get by with a small terrarium of 60-90 liters and safely plant a couple of geckos there. These lizards do not need soil.
Iguanas
Skinks
- Blue-tongued skink - a very patient and domestic lizard, which, despite its “angry” appearance, can be the best choice for beginners. Appearance: large animal of light color with large scales. A distinctive feature, as the name suggests, is the blue language. Conditions of detention: this species lives in Australia and it is forbidden to export it from there. At the same time, the lizard is on sale with us, and it feels great at home. A terrarium 100 centimeters long and 50 centimeters wide is perfect.
Domestic lizards
Lizards (Latin Lacertilia, formerly Sauria) - a suborder of the squadron of the scaly class adjoining.
The suborder of lizards is not a biologically clearly defined category, but includes all those species that do not belong to the other two suborders of scaly - snakes and two-walkers. Snakes, probably, are descendants of monitor lizards and, according to biological principles, can also be considered lizards, but they are conditionally distinguished into a separate suborder. In total, there are over 4300 species of lizards.
Unlike snakes, most lizards (with the exception of some legless forms) have developed limbs to one degree or another. Although legless lizards are outwardly similar to a snake, their sternum is preserved, and in most - the girdle of the limbs; unlike snakes, the left and right halves of the jaw apparatus are motionlessly fused. A characteristic sign of the suborder is also incomplete ossification of the anterior part of the cerebral box and no more than two sacral vertebrae.
Lizards have dry, scaly skin, four clawed limbs, and a long tail.
Lizards move mainly on land, but some can swim and even almost fly.
Lizards have very well developed eyesight, many see the world in color.
As for the size, there are chameleons or geckos, the length of which does not exceed a few centimeters, and there are giants, for example, the length of a monitor lizard can approach three or more meters.
In legless lizards, the eyes, as a rule, are equipped with movable split eyelids, and in snakes the eyelids are fused, forming transparent "lenses" on the eyes. They also differ in a number of other features, such as the structure and structure of the scales.
Many species of lizards are capable of shedding part of their tail (autotomy). After some time, the tail is restored, but in a shortened form. During autotomy, specific muscles constrict the blood vessels in the tail, and almost no bleeding occurs.
Most lizards are predators. Small and medium-sized species feed mainly on various invertebrates: insects, arachnids, molluscs, and worms. Large predatory lizards (monitor lizards, tegu) attack small vertebrates: other lizards, frogs, snakes, small mammals and birds, and also eat the eggs of birds and reptiles. The largest modern lizard, the Komodo monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis), falls on large animals such as deer, wild pigs and Asiatic buffaloes. Some carnivorous species of lizards are stenophages, that is, they specialize in eating a certain type of food. For example, Moloch (Moloch horridus) feeds only on ants, and the pink-tongued skink (Hemisphaeriodon gerrardii) in nature eats exclusively terrestrial molluscs.
Some large iguanas, agamas and skinks are completely or almost entirely herbivorous. Such species eat fruits, leaves, young shoots and flowers of plants.
Among lizards, there are many omnivorous species that are used by both animals and plant foods (for example, blue-tongued skinks, many agamas). Madagascar day geckos, in addition to insects, eagerly eat nectar and pollen. As for reproduction, most lizards lay eggs, but there are also viviparous ones. Maternal instinct is alien to insidious reptiles. Almost all types of lizards, after the appearance of offspring, stop worrying about it.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animals
Type: Chordates
Class: Reptiles
Order: Scaly
Suborder: Lizards
The suborder of lizards has 6 infraorders with 37 families:
- Infraorder Iguania - Iguaniformes
- Family Agamidae - Agamaceae
- Family Chamaeleonidae - Chameleons
- Family Corytophanidae
- Family Crotaphytidae - Collar Iguanas
- Family Dactyloidae
- Family Hoplocercidae
- Family Iguanidae - Iguanas
- Family Leiocephalidae - Masked Iguanas
- Family Leiosauridae
- Family Liolaemidae
- Family Opluridae
- Family Phrynosomatidae
- Family Polychrotidae - Anoleaceae
- Family Tropiduridae
- Infraorder Gekkota - Gecko
- Family Gekkonidae - Geckos
- Family Carphodactylidae
- Family Diplodactylidae
- Family Eublepharidae - Eublepharidaceae
- Family Phyllodactylidae
- Family Sphaerodactylidae
- Family Pygopodidae - Scaledlegs
- Infraorder Scincomorpha - Skinkiformes
- Family Cordylidae - Belt-tails
- Family Gerrhosauridae - Gerrosaurs
- Family Gymnophthalmidae
- Family Teiidae - Teiids
- Family Lacertidae - Real lizards
- Family Scincidae - Skinks
- Family Xantusiidae - Night lizards
- Infraorder Diploglossa - Fusiform
- Family Anguidae - Spindle
- Family Anniellidae - Legless lizards
- Family Xenosauridae - Xenosaurs
- Infraorder Dibamia
- Family Dibamidae - Worm-like lizards
- Infraorder Varanoidea - Varaniformes (Platynota)
- Family Helodermatidae - Venomtooths
- Family Lanthanotidae - Earless monitor lizards
- Family Varanidae - Monitor lizards
- Family † Mosasauridae - Mosasaurs
- Superfamily Shinisauroidea
- Family Shinisauridae
