Main Characteristics of Lizards

• There are over 5,000 species of lizards.
• The most well-known include the chameleon, Komodo dragon, slow worm, and iguana.
• Most lizards are carnivorous, while some are omnivores and a few are herbivores.
• Lizards are categorized into four groups: iguanas, geckos, skinks, and slow worms.
• Iguanas often have a spiky crest along their back and tail, and some even possess horns or helmet-like protrusions along with prominent throat sacs. Chameleons are also classified as iguanas.
• Geckos are small lizards. They have specialized toe pads that allow them to walk on smooth surfaces like walls and ceilings, even upside down. Unlike many others, they are primarily nocturnal and they are known for their ability to make sounds, which is quite rare among lizards.
• Skinks have a cone-shaped head that tapers towards the snout, with smooth, shiny scales that resemble armor.
• Slow worms often resemble snakes, such as the common slow worm or blind worm, but they also include four-legged creatures like the Komodo dragon.
• The largest lizard is the Komodo dragon, which can reach a length of 10 feet 2 inches (3.13 meters) and weigh up to 365 pounds (166 kilograms).
• The smallest lizard is the Brookesia nana, or the nano-chameleon, measuring only 0.53 inches (13.5 mm) in body length.
• The second smallest is the Sphaerodactylus ariasae, or the Jaragua dwarf gecko, which is just 0.62 inches (16 mm) long and weighs 0.004 ounces (0.13 grams).

Species List