Scientific Name of Lizards

Lizards are reptiles that fall under the order Squamata and class Reptilia. There are over 6,000 species of lizards that can be found in every continent except Antarctica. Lizards come in all shapes and sizes, and some are even legless. The smallest known species of lizard is the Sphaerodactylus ariasae, or the Jaragua lizard, which was discovered on an island off the coast of Dominican Republic. The measure of the adult lizards ranges between 0.63 to 0.71 inches in length.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis), the largest living lizard in the world. The largest verified specimen reached a total body length of 10.3 feet and weighed over 160 kgs. Varanus komodoensis is found on the Indonesian Islands of Flores, Rinca, Gili Motang and Komodo. This lizard is the apex predator of its environment due to its sheer size. Moreover, the saliva of the komodo dragon is supposedly venomous, secreting a toxic cocktail of proteins as well as anticoagulants.

Another group of lizards that superficially resembles snakes are members of the family Pygopodidae. Hence, these animals are sometimes called legless lizards. Pygopodidae are different from snakes because they possess a notched tongue rather than a forked tongue. Furthermore, Pygopodids have an outer ear opening also as eyelids.

Scientific Name of Select Lizards

• Slowworm – Anguis fragilis

• Komodo Dragon – Varanus komodoensis

• Common house gecko – Hemidactylus frenatus

• Rock monitor – Varanus albigularis

• Megalania – Varanus priscus (extinct)

Facts About Lizards

1. More than 6000 different lizard species can be found on Earth.

2. Lizards have the capability to move their eyelids .

3. Liards can be found almost everywhere.

4. Lizards can stay on land also, not necessarily in water.

5. There are different types and sizes of lizards.