The Lizard

Outlines
 Definition of lizard
 External structure
 Physiology
 Respiration
 Reproduction and lifecycle
 Diet
 Behavior
 Relationship with humans
 Other facts
 Conclusion
Definition of lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamata reptiles, with over 6,000 species ranging across
all continents expect Antarctica. Lizard a reptile that typically has a long body and tail, four
legs, movable eyelids, and a rough, scaly, of spiny skin. The scientific name of lizard is
Lacertilia.

External structure
 Size
 Structure

Size
Lizards come in a wide variety of sizes. The largest lizard is the Komodo dragon and the
smallest lizard is the tiny dwarf gecko. The adult length of species within the suborder
ranges from a few centimeters for chameleons and geckos to nearly 3m (10 ft). Most lizards
are fairly small animals.
Structure
Lizards typically have rounded torsos, elevated heads on short necks, four limbs and
long tails, although some are legless.
As in other reptiles, the skin of lizards is covered in overlapping scales made of keratin.
The skin is tough and leathery, and is shed (sloughed) as the animal grows. A lizard’s
scaly skin does not grow as the animal ages. Most lizards shed their skin, or molt, in
large flakes.
The dentitions of lizards reflect their wide range of diets. The tongue can be extended
outside the mouth, and is often long.

Three lineages, the geckos, anoles, and

chameleons, have modified the scales under
their toes to form adhesive pads. The pads
are composed of millions of tiny setae
(hair-like structures) which fit closely to
the substrate to adhere walls forces; no
liquid adhesive is needed.

Adhesive pads enable geckos to climb vertically.

Physiology
Aside from legless lizards, most lizards are quadrupedal and move using gaits with alternating
movement of the right and left limbs with substantial body bending. Several species can run
bipedally, and a few can prop themselves up on their hind limbs and tail while stationary.
Some species, like geckos and chameleons, adhere to vertical surfaces and can run across
water.

Respiration

Reptiles depend entirely on their lungs for respiration. Lizards do have a diaphragm;
instead, their chest muscles move the chest wall, which inflates and deflates the
lungs.
The process of respiration
 Lizards have a closed respiratory system which allows for better thermoregulation.
 Gas exchange occurs in the cranial part of the lungs. In the exchange, oxygen is brought in, and
carbon dioxide is exchanged out.
 The lungs are ventilated almost exclusively by the muscles of the chest wall. These same
muscles are used during movement, so they have to hold their breath while exerting themselves
(running fast).
 A few lizard species use their throat muscles to “gulp” air in a process called buccal pumping.
When its mouth is full of air, the lizard will push the air down into the lungs. The nostrils are
then closed, the glottis opened, and the floor of mouth is raised, forcing the air into the lungs
for gas exchange.
 To deflate the lungs, the process is reversed.

Reproduction and lifecycle

 Oviparous
 Viviparous
 Parthenogenesis

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Reproduction and lifecycle
As with all amniotes, lizards rely on internal fertilization
and copulation involves the male inserting one of his
hemipenis into the female’s cloaca. Most baby lizards
are self-sufficient from birth and are able to walk, run
and feed on their own. The young reach maturity
at 18 months to 7 years, depending on the species.

Oviparous
The majority of species are oviparous. The female deposits the eggs in a protective
structure. Depending on the species, clutch size can vary from 4-5 percent of the
female body weight to 40-50 percent and clutches range from one or a few large eggs
to dozens of small ones The gestation for a lizard egg can last up to 12 months. In most
lizards, the eggs have leathery shells. Inside the eggs, the embryos use nutrients from
the yolk. The temperature of the eggs’ micro-environment can determine the sex of the
hatched young. Parental care is uncommon.

Viviparous
Around 20 percent of lizard species are viviparous.
Viviparous species give birth to relatively developed
young which look like miniature adults, embryos
are nourished via a placenta-like structure. Eastern Fence Lizard
Egg
 Parthenogenesis
A minority of lizards have parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis was also recorded in
species that normally reproduce sexually. A captive female Komodo dragon
produced a clutch of eggs, despite being separated from males for over two years. Sex
determination in lizards can be temperature-dependent.

Diet
 Many species are sit-and-wait predators though others may be more active foragers. The
majority of lizard species are predatory and the most common prey items are small, terrestrial
invertebrates, particularly insects. A typical diet for a lizard includes ants, spiders, termites,
cicadas, small mammals and even other lizards.
 Larger species can feed on larger prey including fish, frogs, birds, mammals and other reptiles.
Both bird and reptile eggs may also be consumed as well.
 Prey may be swallowed whole and torn into smaller pieces. Despite being venomous, these
species rely on their strong jaws to kill prey.
 Around 2 percent of lizard species are herbivores.
 Some non-herbivorous species supplement their insect diet with fruit.
 Many lizards are carnivores and some are omnivores.
Behaviour
 Habits
 Body temperature
 Communication
 Senses
 Venom
 Antipredator adaptations
 Lifespan
 Distribution and habitats
A young Mediterranean House Gecko
in the process of moulting.
Habits
Some lizards are territorial, while others can easily live with dozens of other lizards of many different
species.

Body temperature
Lizards are cold-blooded animals. Most lizards are active during the day. Lizards have limited ability to
regulate their body temperature, and they use the heat of the sun to raise their body temperatures.
Communication
Lizards signal both to attract mates and to intimidate rivals. Visual displays include
body postures and inflation, push-ups, bright colours, mouth gaping and tail wagging.
Some species tilt their bodies to display their coloration. In certain species, brightly
coloured males turn dull when not in the presence of rivals of females. In some species,
head-bobs are a common form of communication among females, the speed and
frequency varying with age and territorial status.
Chemical cues or pheromones are also important in communication. Males typically
direct signals at rivals, while females direct them at potential mates.
Acoustic communication is less common in lizards. Hissing, a typical reptilian sound
is mostly produced by larger species as part of a threat display, accompanying gaping
jaws.

A Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) signaling with its extended dewlap

Sense
Lizards make use of their senses of sight, touch, olfaction and hearing like other
vertebrates. Some lizards make unusual use of their sense organs. Lizards lack
external ears, having instead a circular opening in which the tympanic membrane
(eardrum) can be seen. All lizards have a specialized olfactory system, the
vomeronasal organ, used to detect pheromones. Some lizards have retained a
photosensory organ on the top of their heads called the parietal eye, a basal
(primitive) feature.

Antipredator adaptations
 Lizards have a variety of antipredator adaptations, including running and climbing,
camouflage, tail autotomy, and reflex bleeding.
 Lizards exploit a variety of different camouflage methods. Many lizards are
disruptively patterned. In some species, individuals vary in colour, and select
rocks which best match their own colour to minimize the risk of being detected by
predators.
 Many lizards are capable of shedding their tails (autotomy). Lizards have the
ability to break off part of their tails when a predator grabs it. Lizards partially
regenerate their tails over a period of weeks.
 Some species puff themselves up, making their bodies hard for a narrow-mouthed
predator to swallow and can squirt blood to a distance of about two metres, the
blood tastes foul to attackers.
 Venom
Several species of lizards produce powerful venom in their oral glands. Nine classes
of toxin known from snakes are produced by lizards. The range of actions provides the
potential for new medicinal drugs based on lizard venom proteins. Genes associated with
venom toxins have been found in the salivary glands on a wide range of lizards, including
species traditionally thought of as non-venomous.

Lifespan
The lifespan of lizards depends on the species, for examples, house lizards live around
five to seven years, and Carolina anoles live for around three to six years, skinks live for five or
more years. In some cases, lizards may be able to live as long as twenty.

Distribution and habitats

Lizards are found world wide excluding the far north and Antarctic, and some
islands. They can be found in elevations from sea level to 5,000 m (16,000 ft). They prefer
warmer, tropical climates but are adaptable and can live in all but the most extreme
environments. Most lizards primarily live on the ground, but others may live in rocks, on trees,
underground and even in water.
Relationship
 More lizardwith humans
species are harmless to humans. Numerous species of lizard are kept as pets.
 Lizards appear in myths and folktales around the world, as in Australian Aboriginal
mythology, Tarrotarro, the lizard god, split the human race into male an female, and gave
people the ability to express themselves in art. In the Amazon, the lizard is the king of
beasts.
 Green iguanas are eaten in Central America, where they are sometimes referred to as
“chicken of the tree”. Spiny-tailed lizards are eaten in Africa.
 Lizards such as the Gila monster produce toxins with medical applications. Gila toxin
reduces plasma glucose. Another toxin from Gila monster saliva has been studied for use as
an anti-Alzheimer’s drug.
 Lizard phobia – Herpetophobia

Herpetophobia is a common specific phobia, which consists of fear or aversion to reptiles,

commonly lizards and snakes, and similar vertebrates as amphibians. It is one of the most
diffused animal phobias, very similar and related to ophidiophobia.
Other facts
1. Is it good to have lizards in the house?
Lizards help humans by eating pesky insects that make our lives more difficult.
2. Can house lizards cause death? Symptoms of a lizard bite will vary
depending on the species, but can include pain, swelling, blurred vision, convulsions,
diarrhea, numbness, rapid pulse, tissue death, low blood pressure, shock, difficultly
breathing paralysis, and death.
3. Is lizard harmful to human? Most lizards are harmless to humans.
Lizards have a number of defense mechanisms and biting is one of them. They will bite
if necessary. However, there are certain members of both groups that can kill, maim,
make ill, or inflict at least mild levels of pain on their hapless human victims.
4. What attracts lizards into your home? Human habitations provide a lot of things that
are attractive to animals like lizards: warm temperatures, shelter from wind and rain, and
various sources of food.
5. What do lizards hate? Lizards do not like birds, pepper, cold water and cold
air.
6. What are lizards a sign of? Lizards as a symbol of Birth, Death, Regeneration, and
Survival. Lizards are also a good-luck signs because they are mainly nocturnal and this
has become a symbol for good vision and protection against the unseen things in life.
Conclusion
 Lizards are reptiles which can be found almost all over the world.
 Lizards have various sizes, shapes, and structures. They also have different diet
based on the species.
 Lizards are cold-blooded animals and they prefer warm places.
 Most lizards are harmless but some species can be dangerous.
 Lizards have closed-relationships with humans.
 Some people believe that lizard is a symbol of a good sign.
 However, the lizard is one of the creatures of the nature on the earth that has been
since long ago.
Reference from Google
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