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- Lizards of the Dibamidae group
- Iguania group lizards
- Gekkota group lizards
- Lizards of the Scincomorpha group
- Varanids group lizards
- Are lizards in danger of extinction?
There are more than 5,000 species of lizards in the world. Some have a few centimeters, like the popular geckos, and others can exceed 3 meters long, from tail to head. Biologically, lizards belong specifically to the order Squamata (scaly reptiles) and the suborder Lacertilla, and many of them even have the ability to hibernate.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we present different types of lizards, highlighting its main features with examples and photos of geckos, iguanas, chameleons and the curious Komodo dragon. Good reading!
Lizards of the Dibamidae group
This family consists of species in which there was a considerable reduction in their extremities. Males have small hind ends, which they use to court the female when mating. On the other hand, the lizards of the Dibamidae group are small in size, they have elongated cylindrical bodies are blunt and have no teeth.
In addition, they are adapted for digging in the ground, as their habitat is underground, and they can live under rocks or trees that have fallen to the ground. This group consists of 10 species distributed in two genres: dibamus (which contains almost all species) and Alytropsis. The first group inhabits Asian and New Guinea forests, while the second is only present in Mexico. An example we have is the species Anelytropsis papillosus, which is commonly known as the Mexican-blind lizard, one of the most curious types of lizards for escaping the popularly known patterns of these animals.
Iguania group lizards
With this group there has been a certain controversy regarding your rating within the types of lizards. However, there is an agreement that they also represent the Lacertilla group and that, generally, are arboreal, although some are terrestrial, with rudimentary tongues and not prehensile, except in chameleons. Some families have habitats exclusively in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, while others are also found in the Americas.
Within the Iguanidae family, we can mention some representative species such as the green or common iguana (iguana iguana), which can reach up to 2 meters in length and is fundamentally arboreal thanks to its strong claws. Another species that is part of the iguanas is the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), which is distributed throughout the United States and Mexico.
Within the Iguania group we also find the popularly known as chameleons, with more than 170 species and having, as a peculiar trait, being able to change color, in addition to having a good ability to attach themselves to the branches of trees. Some peculiar species, due to their small sizes, are grouped in Brookesia spp. (Leaf chameleons), being native to Madagascar. It is also interesting to know a group of the Draco genus, known as flying lizards or flying dragons (for example, Draco Spilonotus), due to the presence of membranes lateral to the body that allow them great stabilization when traveling long distances between trees. These species of lizards stand out for their colors and shapes.
In this other PeritoAnimal article you will find out what are the most common diseases among iguanas.
Gekkota group lizards
This type of lizard is composed of the Gekkonidae and Pygopodidae families, and between them there are more than 1,200 species of the famous geckos. They may have small ends or even no ends.
On the other hand, these types of lizards are commonly concentrated in tropical areas and are quite common in Brazil, especially in the urban habitat, since due to their small size, they form part of many homes, fed by insects that frequent the houses. the lizard species Sphaerodactylus ariasae is characteristic for being one of the smallest reptiles in the world and, unlike this one, we have the species (daudini gonatodes), which is currently one of the endangered reptiles.
Lizards of the Scincomorpha group
The lizard species of the Scincomorpha group is one of the most numerous groups, with an important variety of species, specifically the Scincidade family. Its body is thin and the head is not well delimited. They also have small ends and a simple tongue. Several species have long, slender tails, which can break loose to distract your predators, as is the case of the wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), which generally inhabits human spaces.
On the other hand, also characteristically is the family Gymnophtahalmidae, which is commonly called the lens lizards, as they can see with eyes closed, due to the fact that the tissue of its lower eyelids is transparent, it is considered one of the most curious types of lizard.
Varanids group lizards
In this group we find one of the most representative species among the types of lizards: the Komodo dragon (Varanus Komodoensis), the biggest lizard in the world. the species varanus varius it is also a large lizard that inhabits Australia and has the ability to be terrestrial and arboreal, despite its size.
On the other hand, a poisonous representative of this group is the species Heloderma suspectum,O gila monster, which is much feared for its poison, but that not usually an aggressive animal, so it does not pose a threat to human beings.
Are lizards in danger of extinction?
reptiles in general, like all animals, must be valued and respected, not only because they fulfill important functions within ecosystems, but because of the intrinsic value that all forms of life on the planet have. However, different types of lizards constantly under the pressure of current environmental problems, due to the destruction of their habitat or the hunting of these reptiles for various reasons. This is how many find themselves on the red list of endangered species.
Although some of these species of lizards can be poisonous and care must be taken to avoid accidents, most are harmless and they pose no danger to humans.
In the following video you discover several characteristics of the Komodo dragon:
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of Lizards - Examples and Characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.