Innate Behavior of Lizards

There are more than 4,000 species of lizards in nature, according to the San Diego Zoo's website. Lizards are reptiles that often have long bodies, tiny heads and tails, although some lizards, such as the so-called glass snake, resemble snakes. Many lizards also have clawed feet. Lizards range in size from around 0.6 inches to 10 feet in length, depending on species. Although many lizards have certain characteristics, such as a brown or green color, in common, different species of lizards behave in contrasting ways.

  1. Habitats

    • Different types of lizards survive in different environments, including deserts, forests, grasslands, marshes, wetlands, prairies and mountains. Many lizards live in warm climates, but lizards that survive in places with milder climates generally hibernate in burrows during winter months. Some species, such as iguanas and spiny lizards, generally live in desert areas. Although most lizards live on dry land, either in the grass or in trees, many lizards are able to swim.

    Survival

    • Most lizards are carnivores and survive off a diet of insects, grasshoppers, spiders, worms and flies. Many types of lizards, including Gila monsters, eat bird's eggs, rodents and eggs from other types of reptiles. Some larger types of lizards, such as Komodo dragons, are able to eat larger animals, such as horses, pigs or deer. Certain types of lizards, such as green iguanas, are herbivores, meaning they only eat vegetables, flowers and fruit. Many lizards have tails that break off to allow them to escape predators. These lizards usually can grow new tails quickly. Some lizards, such as bearded dragons and alligator lizards, have built-in defenses, such as venom or scales, which help them to get away from predators.

    Reproduction

    • Lizards generally mate in the warmer months of the year, during the spring or summer. The gestation period for eggs depends upon the species, but most female lizards carry eggs for about four to six weeks, according to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Females either lay eggs in a nest or give birth to live babies, depending on their species. Most lizards mate several times, producing different clutches throughout a breeding season. Certain types of lizards, including North American and Sonoran spotted whiptails, are female only; their offspring come from unfertilized eggs and are clones of their mothers.

    Development

    • Baby lizards are usually on their own before or shortly after they are born because their mothers don't care for them after they are laid or hatched. Some species of lizards, such as skinks, protect their eggs until they hatch. Lizards are usually small but fully developed when they are born and are able to care for themselves. Most lizards take about a year and a half to develop into full adults in the wild, according to the San Diego Zoo. The lifespans of lizards vary; some lizards live about three years and others can survive as long as 50 years.

    Movement

    • Many lizards use their legs to maneuver rapidly across grass and trees; their claws help them to climb trees to gather food or get away from predators. Certain species of lizards, such as geckos, have pads on their toes that help them to grip surfaces, such as tree trunks, more easily. Other types of lizards, such as collared lizards, have hind legs that they use to move quickly, similarly to a dinosaur. Glass lizards are types of lizards that have no legs and move like snakes.