Lizards Habitat

With thousands of living species to name, it is indeed a tough task to define lizards habitat. Lizards are found in hot deserts, dense forests, vast prairies, marshy lands as well as rocky areas. Continue reading to know more about lizards and their habitat.
Approximately 3800 species of lizards, ranging from few cm long geckos to 10 ft long Komodo dragons, inhabit the planet. With so many different types of lizards in existence, it becomes very difficult to determine the extents of the lizards habitat. Among the various lizards facts, the fact that they are found all over the planet, except for the continent of Antarctica and some oceanic islands, surprisingly continues to elude people. Information about these reptiles given below is intended to make people aware of what is a lizards habitat.

Lizards in the Desert
Deserts are typically characterized by lack of precipitation, which results in barren land, unsuitable for human habitation. However, several lifeforms, including some species of lizard inhabit the deserts by adapting to its harsh environment. Some of the most prominent species of lizards which inhabit the deserts include Desert iguana, Western-banded gecko, Zebra-tailed lizard, Mojave collared lizard, Mojave fringe-toed lizard, chuckwallas, Horned Lizard etc. These lizards are found in various parts of the deserts, right from rocky area to sandy flats. They have adapted themselves quite well to the harsh environment in these regions. Some of the most fascinating adaptations include being nocturnal, to avoid the extreme temperature during the day, and standing on alternate limbs (right front and left back or left front and right back combination), for minimal contact with hot ground.

Lizards in the Rainforests
The tropical forests with rich biodiversity are home to several lizard species in the world, some of which are only found in this region. These lizards include Dragon lizards, geckos, skinks, chameleons etc. Most of these lizards found in these rainforests are tree dwelling in nature, owing to which their primary adaptation includes their appearance or coloration. A large number of the tree dwelling lizards are green in color, which helps them to camouflage in the lush green environment of the rainforests.

Other Lizard Habitats
Though a large number of lizards are found in deserts and rainforests, other regions of the world are also home to some of these reptiles. For instance, the Komodo dragon is native to the Komodo Island, off-coast Indonesia, while some species of geckos are found in the grasslands of Eurasia. This may come as a surprise for many but lizards inhabit waters as well. The best example is the Marine iguana native to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific.

It is virtually impossible to include all the information about lizards in a particular write up, as the habitat for each of these species differs in some of the other context. Going through the articles given below will give you a rough idea about the habitat of lizards. This was a brief information about lizards habitat - one of the most interesting aspect of the life of these reptiles, which can be quite helpful for you if you intend to keep lizards as pets. Inhabiting the Earth for thousands of years, these lizard species have adapted themselves quite well to the areas where they are found. Their superior adaptation skills is perhaps the only reason why lizards still exist, while the other creatures which shared the planet with them thousands of years ago have become extinct today.
By
Published: 4/9/2010
Like This Article?
Follow:
Post Comment | View Comments
Your Comments:
Your Name: