Lizard

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: Permission denied in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 12

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: No such file or directory in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 12

Warning: fopen(/home/templatecore2cache//*cluesnet.com/76/76e4ad9d7ea510789034f571d65825966aa56eec.tc2cache) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 130

Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 131

Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 132

{{Taxobox| fossil_range = Jurassic - Recent]'s Kunstformen der Natur, 1904| regnum = Animalia]| superclassis = Tetrapoda| ordo = [Squamata| subordo_authority = [Albert C. L. G. Günther, 1867| subdivision_ranks = Family (biology)| subdivision =Many, see Lizard#Classification.-->

Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata, normally possessing four legs, external ear openings and movable eyelids. The adult length of species within the order (biology) range from a few centimeters (some Caribbean Sea geckos) to nearly three meters (Komodo Dragons).

Description Lizards are reptilian, four-legged, cold-blooded, with an integumentary system comprising scales, with a skull composed of quadrate bones. Lizards also possess external ears and movable eyelids. Encompassing forty Family (biology), there is tremendous variety in color, appearance and size. Due to their smooth, shiny appearance, lizards can appear slimy or slippery; their skin is actually very dry due to a lack of Sweatings to excrete water and oils.

Lizards have scales on their skin which may be tubercule or have ossified encrustations called osteoderms.Smith, Malcolm A. (1943), The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma Vol II - Sauria, pg 2 & 3.

Most lizards are oviparous, though a few species are viviparous. Many are also capable of regeneration (biology) of lost limbs or tails.

Some lizard species, including the glass lizard and Pygopodidae, have some vestigial structures though no functional legs. They are distinguished from true snakes by the presence of eyelids and ears and a tail that can sometimes break off as a physical defense mechanism. Many lizards are good climbers or fast sprinters. Some can run bipedally, such as the Common Collared Lizard and the world's fastest lizard, the spiny-tailed iguana in the genus Ctenosaura.

Many lizards can change color in response to their environments or in times of stress. The most familiar example is the chameleon, but more subtle color changes occur in other lizard species as well (most notably the Polychrotidae, also known as the "American chameleon," "house chameleon" or "chamele").

Diet licking nectar from the "bird of paradise" flower (Strelitzia)Lizards feed on a wide variety of foods including fruits and vegetation, insects, small tetrapods, carrion and even (in the cases of large predator lizards) large prey such as deer.

Venomous Lizards Only two lizard species have proven to be venom (poison): the Mexican beaded lizard and the closely-related Gila monster, both of which live in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. Even though there are myths and legends abound about these creatures, and their bite can cause serious injury, no human fatalities have ever been recorded.

Research at the University of Melbourne, Australia proposes that some lizards in the iguanians and monitor (lizard) families may have Venom (poison)-producing glands. If proven to be true, however, these would pose little or no danger to humans, as the poison is introduced slowly by chewing, rather than subcutaneous injection as with venomous snakes. According to this study, nine toxins previously thought to only occur in snakes have been discovered out of several thousand. Prior to this theory, swelling and irritation from lizard bites was believed due to bacterial infection and in most cases this is likely, but the study suggests it may be due to partial envenomation. The scientists behind these findings are calling for a re-evaluation of the classification system for lizard species to form a venom clade and if successful may result in changes to the beliefs regarding the evolution of lizards, snakes, and venom.

Relationship to humans Lima, Peru.

Most lizard species are harmless to humans (most species native to North America, for example, are incapable even of drawing blood with their bites). Only the very largest lizard species pose threat of death; the Komodo dragon, for example, has been known to attack and kill humans and their livestock. The venom of the gila monster and beaded lizard is not deadly but they can inflict extremely painful bites due to powerful jaws. The chief impact of lizards on humans is positive as they are significant predators of Pest (animal) species; numerous species are prominent in the pet trade; some are eaten as food (for example, iguanas in Central America); and lizard symbology plays important, though rarely predominant roles in some cultures (e.g. Tarrotarro in Australian mythology). The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped animals and often depicted lizards in their art. Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Larco_Museum. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.

kept as a pet.Lizards in the Scincomorpha family, which include skinks (such as the blue-tailed skink), often have shiny, iridescent scales that appear moist. They are dry-skinned and generally prefer to avoid water. All lizards are capable of swimming if needed and a few (such as the Nile monitor) are quite comfortable in aquatic environments.

Lizards as pets Species of lizards sold as pets include iguanas, bearded dragon, leopard geckos, tegus, and monitor lizards. In general, lizards require more maintenance than other exotic pets. Finding a veterinarian whose practice includes lizards is also important.

== Classification =={|-|, Basiliscus plumifrons|-|, Callisaurus draconoides|-|, Heloderma s. suspectum|-|, Varanus prasinus|}Suborder Lacertilia (Sauria) - (Lizards)

†Family Bavarisauridae

†Family Eichstaettisauridae

Infraorder Iguania

†Family Arretosauridae

†Family Euposauridae

Family Corytophanidae (casquehead lizards)

Family Iguanidae (iguanas and spinytail iguanas)

Family Phrynosomatidae (Earless lizard, spiny lizard, Urosaurus, side-blotched lizard and horned lizard lizards)

Family Polychrotidae (Anolis)

Family Leiosauridae (see Polychrotinae)

Family Tropiduridae (neotropical ground lizards)

Family Liolaemidae (see Tropidurinae)

Family Leiocephalidae (see Tropidurinae)

Family Crotaphytidae (crotaphytus and gambelia lizards)

Family Opluridae (Madagascar iguanids)

Family Hoplocercidae (Enyalioides lizards, clubtails)

†Family Priscagamidae

†Family Isodontosauridae

Family Agamidae (Agama (lizard))

Family Chamaeleonidae (chameleons)

Infraorder Gekkota

Family Gekkonidae (geckos)

Family Pygopodidae (legless lizards)

Family Dibamidae (blind lizards)

Infraorder Scincomorpha

†Family Paramacellodidae

†Family Slavoiidae

Family Scincidae (skinks)

Family Cordylidae (spinytail lizards)

Family Gerrhosauridae (plated lizards)

Family Xantusiidae (night lizards)

Family Lacertidae (wall lizards or true lizards)

†Family Mongolochamopidae

†Family Adamisauridae

Family Teiidae (tegus and whiptails)

Family Gymnophthalmidae (spectacled lizards)

Infraorder Diploglossa

Family Anguidae (glass lizards)

Family Anniellidae (American legless lizards)

Family Xenosauridae (knob-scaled lizards)

Infraorder Platynota (Varanoidea)

Family Varanidae (monitor lizards)

Family Lanthanotidae (earless monitor lizards)

Family Helodermatidae (gila monsters Chinese water dragon & Mexican beaded lizard)

†Family Mosasauridae (marine lizards)

References External links

Tiny gecko - the 'world's smallest' lizard
1911 Britannica article "Lizard"

The Lizard Peninsula
The Lizard Peninsula is unique. Stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, there is nowhere quite like it anywhere else in Britain. It is for this reason that the Lizard has ...

Youth Hostel, Lizard - General - YHA
Lizard Youth Hostel, based in the South West of England ... Great for: Families, walkers and disabled guests. Birdwatching to Bathing Breaks

National Trust | The Lizard and Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove lies two miles north of the Lizard - the most southerly point of mainland Britain and the turning point of one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world

Lizard Lounge - Bar & Club Nottingham
In Nottingham and Leicester, the venue is a late night drinking and dancing club and lounge for over 21's. Includes weekly event listings and contacts.

The Lizard - Cornwall
Cornwall:Lizard Point with its lighthouse is the most southerly point in Great Britain. It is famous for the local serpentine stone, a unique metamorphic rock

Lizard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lizards are a large and widespread group of reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5,000 species and ranging across all continents except Antarctica.

NEWT International ltd - Home of Lizard FGI and EMA (AC Field ...
Manufacture and supply of non destructive test equipment. Product range and news.

Lizards at Animal Corner
Lizards have external ear openings and movable eyelids which make them very versatile creatures. ... Lizards. Lizards are small reptiles of the order Squamata, which they share ...

Lizard
29th - 1st June 2005 WEEKEND AT THE LIZARD Led by John Mather Saturday 29th May (Scroll down for Sunday/Monday) Click on the pictures to see a larger version

Welcome to Lizard Design
We offer a one-stop solution for your web development requirements, with the complete range of services necessary for successful website development.