Lizard Facts

Lizard Facts

1. Horned lizards are known to squirt a thin stream of blood from the comers of their eyes when they are handled or disturbed. This does not appear to be a defense mechanism, but an uncontrollable reaction when frightened. During hot weather, horned lizards cool their bodies by increasing the flow of blood just below the skin to help disperse body heat. If a warm lizard is disturbed or or excited, its blood pressure may increase and blood lying in the sinuses behind each eye is uncontrollably forced out to relieve pressure.

2. The tail curling of (Curly tailed lizards) behaviour apparently plays many different roles for these lizards. It is documented as a territorial display, courtship display by males to attract females but also as a response to predators. Reportedly, it is believed that these lizards may curl their tail also to “fool” predators into attacking the tail instead of the head. Since the tail can be easily detached at certain points and re-grown as in all lizards, this is not a very effective anti-predatory response.

3. Lizards are found everywhere on earth except the Arctic and the Antarctic. 

4. The largest lizard family is the skinks.

5. There are nearly 1400 species worldwide.

6. Some lizards have no legs and might be mistaken for snakes.  But you can always tell a lizard because they have eyelids and ear openings and snakes don’t.

7. Like other reptiles, lizards lay eggs, have scales and a tough outer skin and are ectothermic or ‘cold-blooded’.

8. While many species lay their eggs and abandon them, skinks and glass lizards stay with the eggs until they hatch, guarding them from predators.

9. The Slender Glass Lizard is the longest; it looks like a snake because it doesn’t have legs.

10. The largest is the Collared Lizard which can grow to 14 inches.

11. The smallest is the Ground Skink-a newly hatched baby will fit on a dime! 

12. A lizard can release a part of all of his tail when he is grabbed by a predator.  Once the tail is  broken off, he runs for shelter and is safe; he leaves his squirming tail to confuse or distract the enemy.  His tail has special muscles that constrict at a break point and prevent blood loss. Eventually the lizard grows a new tail, but it isn’t a colorful or as elegant as the original. It may take three or four months for the ‘new’ tail to grow. Sometimes the tail doesn’t break off cleanly and the lizard looks as if he has two tails!

13. They are valuable as a natural control of destructive species like termites.  One species of lizard, the Eastern Collared Lizard, even eats other lizards.