10 Facts About Lizards You Need to Know

1. Amazing Facts about Lizards: Explore Reptilian Wonder Alt Text: Facts about Lizards It may be frightening to learn everything there is to know about lizards. Lizards are a broad category of squamate reptiles that does not include snakes. However, because they have a closer phylogenetic relationship with snakes than with other lizards, certain lizards belong to a paraphyletic group. They range in size from tiny chameleons to three-meter-long Komodo dragons. Most have four legs and run side to side, however other species have no legs and resemble snakes. There are a few facts about lizards that you might not be aware of, despite the fact that most people are familiar with them. Let's examine some odd facts about lizards that distinguish them from other kinds of reptiles. 9 Fun Facts about Lizards 1: Lizards Have Over 7,000 Species

2. With the exception of Antarctica, every continent is home to more than 7,000 different species of lizards. Among the species are the leopard gecko, bearded dragon, chameleon, green iguana, monitor lizard, and Gila monster. Each species has unique characteristics and adaptations of its own. A number of species, such as the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, the Fijian crested iguana, the hidden dragon, and gargoyle lizard, are endangered. 2: Lizards Can Detach their Tails Lizards can undergo tail autotomy, or the self-detachment of their tails, to defend themselves from predators and other threats. The lizard's tail may move on its own for thirty minutes following its amputation, warding off any assailants and aiding in its escape. But since many lizards can grow new tails quickly, there's no need to worry about their going extinct. Tail separation is made easier by the lizard's muscles and natural fracture lines. This procedure is known as caudal autonomy. Some species of lizards, such as iguanas, skinks, and bearded dragons, can regrow their tails, but others, including chameleons and monitors, cannot. On the tail regrowth, a thin skin layer develops, followed by the regeneration of the spinal cord, which is protected by a cartilage tube. 3: Most Lizards Have Eyelids Yes, in fact! Most lizards have lids over their eyes, which they use to cover them when they blink in response to dust or bright light. There are lizards that have two eyelids: a translucent and a pigmented one. The lizard's translucent eyelid covers its open eye while its pigmented eyelid helps it close its eyes. 4: Most Lizards Can Swim Yes, in fact! Not all lizards have the ability to swim and dive. They keep their nostrils open in order to breathe while swimming. When they dive, though, they do take a deep breath to hold their breath. Basilisks, often called "Jesus Christ lizards," are able to run on water because of the scaly fringes on their third, fourth, and fifth toes. Because of their fringes and quick dash, basilisk lizards may temporarily stay afloat when fleeing from predators. The Marine Galapagos Lizard can descend to a depth of more than 65 feet. These lizards swim in a serpentine fashion, scraping algae off rocks with their sharp teeth and claws. When looking for algae, these reptiles can hold their breath for up to an hour. 5: Lizards are Cold-Blooded

3. Lizards are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, creatures, meaning that their body temperature fluctuates depending on their environment. Animals with cold blood regulate their body temperature by looking for shade, cooling down in the water, or warming up in the sun. Animals with cold blood get their energy from the metabolism of food, which converts it into kilojoules. In the winter, the metabolism of animals with cold blood slows down, resulting in decreased energy output and a sluggish feeling. 6: Lizards Live Almost Everywhere Lizards may be found in a range of habitats, including forests, rocky mountain slopes, and marshes, with the exception of Antarctica. They are ubiquitous creatures as they can exist in a range of settings around the globe due to their adaptability. Lizards are cold-blooded animals; hence they look for places with lots of sunlight so they can regulate their body temperature. Many lizards hide in burrows, caves, or crevices throughout the night, and then emerge in the morning to take use of the warmth from the rocks. Certain arboreal lizards exhibit their versatility by basking in the sun on leaves, proving that they can regulate their body temperature in a range of settings. 7: Komodo Dragon is the King of Lizards The largest and heaviest of the roughly 3,000 species of lizards still in existence are the Komodo dragons, also referred to as the "king of lizards." They may grow up to 10 feet in length and 300 pounds in weight. Due to their ravenous appetites, these reptiles may eat up to 80% of their body weight in a single meal. They originated in Australia and traveled to the Indonesian islands around 900,000 years ago, despite being called after the Indonesian island of Komodo, according to fossil records. A few of the threats that komodo dragons face today are habitat loss, poaching of prey species, legal and illegal hunting, and climate change. There are just 1,380 of these species left in their native environment, making them very endangered. 8: Some Lizards Make Sounds Although they are not thought to be talkative animals, several lizard species do produce noises. Certain animals make hissing noises when they are afraid or uncomfortable. The chattiest species are geckos, which use noises (squeaks, clicks, and chirps) mostly to mark their territory,

4. attract possible mates, and express their existence. In contrast to the majority of non-avian reptiles, geckos have a fully formed larynx with muscles and cartilages that enable them to adjust the tension in their vocal cords. 9: Some Lizards Can Change Color While certain species of lizards may experience more dramatic color shifts, most lizards may transition from brighter to darker tones. Certain lizards, including anoles and chameleons, can undergo drastic color changes, such as moving from brilliant green to brown or from vibrant patterns to subdued tones. Melanophores, a kind of pigment cell, allow for color modification. The lizard looks lighter when the pigment is concentrated and darker when it is spread across the cells. Conclusion From tiny geckos to massive Komodo dragons, lizards exist in a wide range of sizes and have thrived for millions of years. Because of their versatility, which has contributed to their success, they are among the animal groups that live the longest on Earth. Here are some lesser-known lizard facts that set them apart from other types of reptiles. The study of these species provides crucial insights on ecology, evolution, and the intricate relationships among all life on Earth.