Lizards

Lizards are some fascinating reptiles belonging to the order Squamata, which also includes snakes.

It’s the largest group of reptiles, found almost everywhere except Antarctica.

Most lizards have four sturdy legs, a short neck, and a long tail for balancing. Many lizards can shed their tails to escape danger and grow new ones later.

They have external ears to hear, movable eyelids for eye protection, and sharp color vision to spot prey and predators.

Lizards come in all sizes. The tiny dwarf geckos are only an inch long, while the Komodo dragon can grow over ten feet.

For communication, some lizards, like chameleons, change color, while others release chemical signals called pheromones.

They move in amazing ways. The collared lizard can run on two legs, the basilisk dashes across the water, and the tokay gecko easily climbs.

Most lizards, like green anoles, eat insects, but larger ones, like the Komodo dragon, can hunt animals like pigs or deer.

Even legless lizards exist, and features such as external ears help distinguish them from snakes.