L is for Lizard

THE lizard is a reptile closely related to snakes. Like snakes, some ground-dwelling lizards don’t have legs. But unlike snakes, all lizards have ear openings and well-developed eyelids.

There are over 3,750 species of lizards. They vary in size, shape and colour. The smallest lizard is barely a few centimetres in length while the largest, the Komodo dragon, can grow up to 3m in length. Though most lizards are light brown in colour, there are lizards that are green, red, white and black.

A lizard cannot control its body temperature. When it is cold, it moves to a warmer place. When it is hot, it tries to find a cooler place.

Lizards move in different ways. The giant lizard can swim. Some lizards living in Asia glide from tree to tree. The common gecko can walk upside down and can even cling onto glass panes. Some lizards can even run on their hind legs.

When attacked, many lizards run away leaving their tails behind. The tail continues to twitch for some time. This has the enemy completely baffled and gives the lizard ample time to escape.

Some lizards defend themselves by swelling up to appear large. Some hiss loudly, some bite and some use their tails as whips to strike the enemy. The horned lizard of the desert regions squirts thin streams of blood from its eyes at the enemy over a distance of up to 1 metre.

Only two lizards in the world are poisonous: the Gila monster and the beaded lizard, both found in North America.

While some lizards lay eggs, there are many who give birth to young ones. But once a lizard gives birth, she does not nurse or look after the babies.

Most lizards feed on plants or animals. Some eat both. Several lizard species are becoming extinct because they are captured their skin, eggs and meat.