Page 102 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

Lizard is the common name for a large group of scaly skinned reptiles. There is around 7,000 spe-
cies of extant lizards contained within 40 families* in the Order Squamata. Apart from, Antarctica and
some Pacific islands, lizards are found worldwide with the largest concentration of 40 species found in
Australia. Lizards are a very diverse and adaptable species. Most live on the ground while some live in
trees or under rocks; others are found at elevations of 5,000 metres above sea-level, and a few, like the
marine iguana, live and hunt in the sea. The largest of
the species is the Komodo dragon, with an approxi-
mate length of 3 metres and weighs around 150kg. Alt-
hough, most of the lizard species are small the small-
est is the Jaragua dwarf gecko with a length of 14 to
18 mm, and weighs in around 0.13 grams

The average Lizard has a long rounded torso, an
elevated head with a round snout on a short neck. They
have four medium to short legs, though some, like the
Worm lizard, are legless. Most have five long flexible
toed feet, with some arboreal Old World lizards having
opposite facing digits on each foot allowing them to
perch like birds on branches. Another adaptation of
the toes allows the Basilisk Lizard, when pursued by a
*Lizard Extant Families predator, to run on water, while the Marine Galapa-
See Taxonomy, also Worm gos Lizard, the only lizard capable of swimming, uses its feet to swim in
Lizards search of its favourite food; algae. Some species such as, Iguanids, Skinks,
Infraorder Iguanomorpha Anolis lizards and most of all, Geckos – not the leopard gecko – have adhe-
Family Corytophanidae sive feet allowing them to climb vertical surfaces. Apart from the Glass Liz-
Family Iguanidae ard, that has no tail, and the Short-tailed horned lizard, all lizards have long
Family Phrynosomatidae tapering disposable tails, with some like the leopard lizard having excep-
Family Polychrotidae tionally thick tails that store fat, and others like the Chameleons have pre-
Family Leiosauridae hensile tails that can grip branches helping them to climb trees. When under
Family Tropiduridae threat or caught by the tail, lizards can jettison their tail leaving it behind to
Family Liolaemidae confuse the predator, while they make their escape. They do regrow a new
Family Leiocephalidae tail; however, it rarely looks like the one they lost. The lizard’s skin is tough
Family Crotaphytidae and usually covered in protective scales made of keratin; though some like
Family Opluridae the Beaded lizard, have an added covering of bony osteoderms while the,
Family Hoplocercidae Horned Lizard and Thorny Devil, have an abundance of added spikes and
Family Agamidae horns. Most species like the Geckos use their brightly coloured coat to blend
into their surroundings, and to camouflage them from predators. Their
Family Chamaeleonidae bright colours are also used to attract a mate or signal to others; bright red
Infraorder Gekkota being a sign of anger. Most lizards shed their skin, when it’s old, damaged or
Family Gekkonidae no longer fits. However, there is no standing rule when they shed. Due to the
Family Pygopodidae fact they are still growing young lizards shed more than older lizards. Most
Family Dibamidae species shed their coat piecemeal, a bit at a time, while Geckos and some
Infraorder Scincomorpha Skinks shed their skin completely at regular intervals throughout the year.
Family Scincidae
Family Cordylidae Lizards are primarily carnivorous; however, they are such a diverse
Family Gerrhosauridae species that some like the Islands skink and the King's skink are herbivores,
Family Xantusiidae while others could be insectivorous or omnivorous. Nevertheless, the major-
Family Lacertidae ity are carnivores, and depending on their location their diet will vary, but in
Family Teiidae general will consist of insects, small rodents and fish, while the larger of the
Fami- species will eat, deer and wild boar. All lizards are stalker hunters, some
ly Gymnophthalmidae actively seeking out their prey while others like the Chameleon, just sit mo-
Infraorder Diploglossa tionless and wait. Others use their long forked tongue to detect prey. It’s
constantly licking and testing the air, feeding a receptor on the top of the liz-
Family Anguidae ard’s mouth, known as a Jacobson's organ, to decode the information and
Family Anniellidae locate prey. To help ensure a successful kill some lizards like the Gila mon-
Family Xenosauridae ster and Komodo dragon have a venomous gland in their mouths. If on the
Infraorder Platynota initial attack the prey escapes, the lizard simply follows the injured prey un-
Family Varanidae til the venom takes effect and the prey either expires or is too weak to defend
Family Lanthanotidae itself.
Family Helodermatidae