Everything about Lizard totally explained
Lizards are a large and widespread group of
reptiles of the order
Squamata, with nearly 5,000 species and ranging across all continents except Antarctica. Most lizards have four limbs, external ears, a long tail, and are insectivores. Many can shed their tails in order to escape from predators, though this trait isn't universal. Vision, including color vision, is particularly well developed in lizards, and most communicate with body language or bright colors on their bodies as well as via pheromones. The
adult length of
species within the
order range from a few
centimeters (some
Caribbean geckos) to nearly three
meters (
Komodo Dragons), though most species are less than a 0.5 lbs (220 grams).
Description
Any generic description of lizards is often complicated by the fact that many typical lizard traits are either retentions from their evolutionary ancestors (such as the basic, 4-limbed,
tetrapod body form) or are either lost or changed in some species (loss of limbs, loss of external ears, loss of the tail, etc.)
Lizards are
reptiles, and universally possess
scaly skin and a skull with many fused or reduced bones. Most lizards retain the typical
tetrapod body plan of a short neck, four limbs of roughly equal size ending in five toes each, a moderately long body, and a long tail. Most lizards possess external ears and have movable eyelids. Encompassing forty
families, there's tremendous variety in colour, appearance and size. Most lizards are
oviparous, though a few species are
viviparous. Many are also capable of
regeneration of lost limbs or tails. Almost all lizards are carnivorous, though most are so small that insects are their primary prey, however a few species are omnivorous or herbivorous, and others have reached sizes where they can prey on other vertebrates. Many lizards are good climbers or fast sprinters. Some can run bipedally, such as the
collared lizard and some can even run across the surface of water to escape, namely the
basilisk. Many lizards can change colour in response to their environments or in times of stress. The most familiar example is the
chameleon, but more subtle colour changes occur in other lizard species as well such as the
anole, also known as the "American chameleon," "house chameleon" or "chamele".
Some lizard species, including the
glass lizard and
flap-footed lizards, have lost their legs or reduced them to the point they're non-functional. However, some
vestigial structures remain. Snakes, which evolved from the ancestors of
monitor lizards, are characterized by lack of eyelids, lack of an external ear, a forked tongue, and having a highly elongate body (as opposed to a normal body but extremely long tail). While any given legless lizard species (of which there are many) may match on one or two of these characteristics, they invariably differ from snakes in others. For example,
flap-footed lizards lack eyelids as do true snakes, but can be distinguished by their external ears.
Senses and communication
Lizards employ many diverse methods of communication. Like many other animals, they've an acute sense of smell, detecting scents of their prey or pheromones from other lizards. The primary organ of scent in lizards is a vomeronasal organ in the roof of the mouth, and lizards gather scents by flicking out their tongues, then retracting them and delivering the capture odor molecules to this organ. Some large carnivorous lizards, such as tegus and monitor lizards, have forked tongues like snakes, to take advantage of this organ better. As a result, many male lizards possess enlarged pores on the underside of their thighs, which they rub against objects to mark their territory.
While most lizards can hear well, few are capable of vocalizations or otherwise making noise. The exception to this rule is the geckos, which communicate through a wide variety of barks, chirps and whistles, with each species having specific patterns and sounds.
Sight is quite important for most lizards, both for locating prey and for communication, and as such, many lizards have highly acute color vision. Most lizards rely heavily on body language, using specific postures, gestures and movements to define territory, resolve disputes, and entice mates. Some species of lizard also utilize bright colors, such as the iridescent patches on the belly of Sceloporus. These colors would be highly visible to predators, so are often hidden on the underside or between scales and only revealed when necessary.
A particular innovation in this respect is the dewlap, a brightly colored patch of skin on the throat, usually hidden between scales. When a display is needed, the lizards erect the hyoid bone of their throat, resulting in a large vertical flap of brightly colored skin beneath the head which can be then used for communication. Anoles are particularly famous for this display, with each species having specific colors, including patterns only visible under ultraviolet light, as lizards can often see UV.
Evolution and relationships
The retention of the basic tetrapod body form by lizards makes it tempting to assume any similar animal, alive or extinct, is also a lizard. However, this isn't the case, and lizards are part of a well-defined group.
The first reptile was superficially lizard-like, but had a solid, box-like skull, with openings only for eyes, nostils, etc (termed Anapsid). These organisms later gave rise to two new groups with additional holes in the skull to make room for and anchor larger jaw muscles. Those with a single hole, the Synapsids, became modern mammals. The Diapsids, possessing two holes, continued to diversify. The Archosaurs retained the basic Diapsid skull, and gave rise to a bewildering array of animals, most famous being the dinosaurs and their descendants, birds. The Lepidosaurs began to reduce the skull bones, making the skull lighter and more flexible. Modern tuataras retain the basic Lepidosaur skull, distinguishing them from true lizards in spite of superficial similarities. Squamates, including snakes and all true lizards, further lightened the skull by eliminating the lower margin of the lower skull opening.
Relationship to humans
Most lizard species are harmless to humans. Only the very largest lizard species pose threat of death; the
Komodo dragon, for example, has been known to stalk, attack, and kill humans. The venom of the
Gila monster and
beaded lizard isn't usually deadly but they can inflict extremely painful bites due to powerful jaws. The chief impact of lizards on humans is positive as they're significant
predators of
pest species; numerous species are prominent in the
pet trade; some are eaten as
food (for example,
Green Iguanas in Central America); and lizard symbology plays important, though rarely predominant roles in some
cultures (for example
Tarrotarro in Australian mythology). The
Moche people of ancient
Peru worshipped animals and often depicted lizards in their art.
Classification
Suborder Lacertilia (Sauria) - (Lizards)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lizard'.
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