Content
- the body of lizards
- Lizard reproduction
- lizard feeding
- Lizard Habitat
- Examples of lizard species according to their characteristics
Lizards are vertebrate animals that belong to the order Squamata and are characterized by being a large group estimated to exist. more than 5,000 species. They are very diverse animals, not only with regard to their size and shape, quite different from one species to another, but we can also see a great variety of colors on their bodies, as they vary from one order to another.
On the other hand, their habitats are also quite different, so they have a high geographic distribution globally and can have diurnal, twilight or nocturnal behavior. In this article by PeritoAnimal we present you the characteristics of lizards - species, reproduction and feedingSo you know all about lizards! Good reading.
the body of lizards
Generally speaking, lizards have the scale covered body with four extremities or legs and a tail, which in some species can take off to distract predators and be able to flee (some have the regenerative capacity of the tail, like geckos, but not all).
However, there are exceptions regarding the presence of extremities, which in some types of lizards have been partially or completely reduced, so they have cylindrical and elongated bodies that allow them to dig in order to bury themselves. O lizard size it also varies considerably from one group to another, so that we can find species of small lizards of a few centimeters and others that are quite large in size.
The color from the body of the lizards it's very varied within the different groups, which in some cases serve to draw attention during mating moments and in others to camouflage themselves, thus becoming a strategy that facilitates the act of hiding from their victims or, on the contrary, from their predators . A peculiar aspect about this characteristic is the possibility that some species have to change your color, as is the case with chameleons.
In relation to other body traits, we can mention that lizards usually have defined eyes with lids, but there are also exceptions, as in some the structure of the eye is very rudimentary, which leads to blind animals. Almost all species have external ear openings, although some do not. They may also have an inextensible fleshy tongue or an extensible sticky forked tongue. Some groups do not have teeth, while in most the dentition is well developed.
Lizard reproduction
The reproductive characteristics of lizards are varied, so do not have a single pattern in this sense, an aspect that can be linked to the variety of groups and habitats in which they are present.
Generally, lizards are oviparous, that is, they lay their eggs abroad to complete their development, but they were also identified some species that are viviparous, so that embryos depend on the mother until the moment of birth. In addition, there are some individuals in this group where the offspring remain within the female until birth, but remain in very little relationship to the mother as the embryo develops.
Furthermore, from one species to another varies the number of eggs and their size. There are also species of lizards in which the reproduction occurs by parthenogenesis, that is, that females can reproduce without being fertilized, giving rise to offspring genetically identical to them. In the photo below you can see some lizard eggs:
lizard feeding
In relation to feeding the lizards, some species can be carnivorous, feeding on small insects, and others are capable of consuming larger animals and even different species of lizards. For example, the wall gecko is an excellent eater of insects that arrive in our homes, as well as small spiders as well.
In contrast to these small lizards that are the lizards, we have the large lizards, such as the emblematic Komodo Dragon, which can feed on dead animals and in a state of decomposition, in addition to live prey, including goats, pigs or deer.
on the other hand, too there are herbivorous species of lizards, like the common iguana, which feeds mainly on leaves, green shoots and some types of fruit. Another example of these animals that are not carnivores is the marine iguana, which lives in the Galapagos Islands and feeds almost exclusively on marine algae.
Lizard Habitat
The lizards span practically all ecosystems, including urban ones, with the exception of Antarctica. In this sense, they can live in terrestrial, aquatic, semi-aquatic, underground and arboreal spaces, among others. Some species have adapted to living in spaces where humans live, such as houses, gardens, vegetable gardens or parks.
Certain lizards spend most of their time over the trees, descending from them only to lay their eggs or escape any predator. Large lizards usually stay in the ground level, where they breed and hunt; however, there are exceptions such as the emerald varano-arboreal-emerald lizard, which lives in Australia and can measure up to 2 meters, having the particularity of being an excellent tree climber.
Another example with a peculiar trait is the aforementioned marine iguana. In this species, adult males have the ability to dive in the sea to feed on algae.
Examples of lizard species according to their characteristics
We have already seen that there are a large number of types of lizards. Here we highlight some species of lizards according to their characteristics and behavior:
- small lizards: Tuberculata brookesia.
- big lizards: Varanus komodoensis.
- Lizards with marine ability: Amblyrhynchus cristatus.
- Lizards with the ability to take off the tail: Podarcis attracts.
- Gecko with pads on its paws: Gekko gecko.
- lizards that change color: Chamaeleo chamaeleon.
- carnivorous lizards: Varanus giganteus.
- herbivorous lizards: Phymaturus flagellifer.
- lizards without extremities: Ophisaurus apodus.
- "Flying" lizards: Draco melanopogon.
- lizards parthenogenetic: Lepidophyma flavimaculata.
- oviparous lizards: Agama mwanzae.
As we can see, these individuals are a very varied group within the animal kingdom, and for this reason they present a diversity of characteristics that change from one family to another, which makes them very attractive.
These striking traits have generated inappropriate actions on the part of the human being, who in some cases intend to have them as a pet. However, as they are wild animals, they must live without their natural habitats, so that in no case should we keep them in captivity.
If you want to know a little more about the biggest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon, don't miss this video:
If you want to read more articles similar to Characteristics of lizards - Species, reproduction and feeding, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.