Examples and characteristics

There are more than 5,000 species of lizards in the world. Some are only a few centimeters long, like the popular geckos, and others can exceed 3 meters in length, from tail to head. Biologically, the lizards belong specifically to the order Squamata (reptiles with scales) and to the suborder Lacertilla and many of them even have the capacity to hibernate.

In this article from PeritoAnimal, we present different types of lizards, highlighting their main characteristics with examples and photos of lizards, iguanas, chameleons and the curious Komodo dragon.

Lizards of the Group Dibamidae

This family consists of species in which there has been a considerable reduction in their extremities. Males have small rear ends, which they use to court the female at the time of mating. On the other hand, the lizards of the Dibamidae group are small in size, have elongated cylindrical bodies, are blind and have no teeth.

In addition, they are adapted to dig in the ground, since their habitat is underground, and can live under rocks or trees that have fallen to the ground. This group consists of 10 species distributed in two genera: dibamus (which contains almost all species) and anelytropsis.

The first group inhabits Asian and New Guinea forests, while the second is only present in Mexico. An example we have is the species Anelytropsis papillosus, which is commonly known as the Mexican blind lizard, one of the types of lizards most curious to escape the popularly known patterns of these animals.

Lizards of the Iguania Group

With this group there has been some controversy regarding its classification within the types of lizards. However, there is an agreement that they also represent the Lacertilla group and that they are usually arboreal, although some are terrestrial, with rudimentary and non-prehensile languages, except for chameleons. Some families have habitats exclusively in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, while others are also found in the Americas.

Within the Iguanidae family, we can mention some representative species such as the green or common iguana ( Iguana iguana ), which can reach up to 2 meters in length and is fundamentally arboreal thanks to its strong claws. Another species that is part of the iguanas is the ring-lizard ( Crotaphytus collaris ), which is distributed by the United States and Mexico.

Within the Iguania group we also find the popularly known as chameleons , with more than 170 species and having as a peculiar trait being able to change colors, in addition to having good ability to settle on tree branches. Some peculiar species, due to their small size, are grouped in Brookesia spp. (Chameleons-leaf), being own of Madagascar. It is also interesting to know a group of the Draco genus, known as flying lizards or flying dragons (for example, Draco spilonotus ), due to the presence of side membranes to the body that allow them great stabilization when traveling long distances between trees. These species of lizards stand out for their colors and shapes.

Lizards of the Gekkota Group

This type of lizard is composed of the families Gekkonidae and Pygopodidae, and between them comprises more than 1,200 species of the famous geckos . They may have small ends or even have no ends.

On the other hand, these types of geckos are commonly found in tropical areas and are quite common in Brazil, especially in urban habitat, since due to their small size, they form part of many homes, fed on insects that frequent homes. The species of gecko Sphaerodactylus ariasae is characteristic for being one of the smallest reptiles in the world and, unlike this, we have the species ( Gonatodes daudini ), which is currently one of the endangered reptiles.

Lizards of the Scincomorpha Group

The lizard species of the Scincomorpha group are one of the most numerous groups, with an important variety of species, specifically the familial Scincidade. Its body is thin and the head is not well defined. They also have small extremities and a simple tongue. Several species have long, thin tails, which can detach themselves to distract their predators, such as the wall lizard ( Podarcis muralis ), which usually inhabits human spaces.

On the other hand, also in a characteristic way is the Gymnophtahalmidae family, which is commonly called lizards-of-lenses, since they can see with their eyes closed, due to the fact that the tissue of their lower eyelids is transparent, being considered one of the types of most curious lizard.

Lizards of the Varanids Group

In this group we find one of the most representative species among the types of lizards: the Komodo Dragon ( Varanus Komodoensis ), the largest lizard in the world. The species Varanus varius is also a large lizard that inhabits Australia and has the ability to be terrestrial and arboreal, despite its size.

On the other hand, a poisonous representative of this group is the Heloderma suspectum species , the gila monster , which is much feared for its poison, but which is not usually an aggressive animal, so it does not represent a threat to humans.

Are Lizards in Danger of Extinction?

Reptiles in general , as well as all animals, must be valued and respected, not only because they fulfill important functions within ecosystems, but because of the intrinsic value that all forms of life on the planet possess. However, different types of lizards are constantly under pressure from current environmental problems, due to the destruction of their habitat or the hunting of these reptiles for various reasons. This is how many find themselves on the red list of endangered species.

Although some of these species of lizards may be poisonous and care needs to be taken to avoid accidents, most are harmless and they pose no danger to humans.