Three Learned Behaviors of a Lizard

Lizards belong to the family of reptiles, one of the oldest and most primitive species on the planet. They have four legs for locomotion, a tail for balance, eyes for vision and some have acute senses of smell. Lizards are cold-blooded by nature, and instinctively seek out places of warmth, which aids in raising their metabolism for movement, eating and digestion. Yet other than instinctive behaviors, they accumulate social and learned behaviors from their early newborn development into adult maturity.

  1. Circumduction

    • One trait that a bearded dragon lizard learns early on involves waving, especially to other dominant bearded dragon members. This waving ritual makes a very simple statement: "Hi, I'm right here and I mean you no harm." Upon approach from a dominant male or superior female, a subordinate female bearded dragon will raise a front leg in salute. Subordinate or younger bearded dragons use this learned behavioral gesture to gain acceptance and ward off an aggressive response.

    Positioning

    • For the first three months of their lives, baby iguanas spend their time roosting in trees for feeding and sunning purposes. Yet they occupy the lowest 30 feet of vegetation in the tree. The mature iguanas always roost above them. The younger iguanas must consume, out of necessity and lack of choice, the vegetation that has received the fecal dropping of those above. The consumption of the fecal matter actually aids the younger iguanas in producing intestinal bacteria that helps them break down the cellulose in the plant fiber. After three months of age, the iguanas move to a higher perch in the tree.

    Puffing Up

    • Many species of lizards learn from an early age that bigger is better. They can inflate themselves up to a larger size and rear up on their hind legs to appear taller and more menacing. Some lizards have neck collars, which they spread out to show a larger surface area. The arboreal chameleons and great green iguana increase the size of their side profiles dramatically, even though when looked at from head-on, they appear very thin.

    Color Change

    • Some species of lizards, like fence swifts, have learned to camouflage themselves among dried leaves and twigs when threatened. They match their striped coloration with the natural flora to avoid detection. Certain chameleons can blend into the natural environment upon the approach of a predator.

    Playing Opossum

    • A species of forest chameleon will turn to stone and keel over as if dead when approached too closely by a predator. Even if gripped in the jaws of a hungry animal, the forest chameleon will remain motionless. This tactic is intended to persuade the aggressor that the thrill of the kill has been lost, so there can be no need to press the attack.

    Recognition and Repetition

    • Many lizards can visually identify shapes and colors, along with certain movements. Lizards will sometimes approach a cage opening when they recognize the owner on the other side. They associate the opening of the cage with a pleasurable response, such as feeding or watering.