I’m a Lizard

I’m a Lizard 

I am a reptile 

Once I hatch from the egg I’m on my own

I never meet my mother 

Most people think gecko when they think of a lizard 

They see those tv commercials for Geico and they see cute little old me

Geckos are lizards too

They’re small in size

The smallest lizard in the world is the male Brookesia nana or nano-chameleon which measures from head to tail 22 mm or approximately an inch in length while the female measures 29 mm, 1.1 inch.

It’s so small that it can hide in a blade of grass. 

The Brookesia nana lizard lives in the mountainous rainforests of Northern Madagascar in Africa and was discovered in 2012. It feasts on mites and springtails. 

The largest lizard in the world is the Komodo dragon measuring in length of 10 feet and weighing in at 330 pounds. 

The Komodo dragon is native to Indonesia and is an apex predator listed at the top of the food chain and will eat animals that it preys on as large as deer and buffalo and will scavenge too on carrion in the wild.

It is an endangered species and can be traced back to Australia nearly 4 million years ago during the Pliocene Epoch as evidenced by fossil findings in Queensland. 

There are over 7,000 species of lizards in the world and they can be found everywhere with the exception of Antarctica. 

Lizards live in rainforests, prairies, deserts,  marshes, mountains, grasslands near bodies of water, in trees and in burrows underground. 

Lizards range in all different sizes according to their species and geographic location. 

On the smaller side of the spectrum are the chameleons and geckos ranging in size from a few centimeters and on the larger side of the spectrum, the Gila Monster which ranges in size to nearly 2 feet in length and is venomous. 

There are lizards to stay clear of due to their venomous bite and their imposing size. They are the Gila Monster, the Mexican beaded lizard and the Komodo dragon among a few others. 

Lizards that can navigate in the water and swim are the Marine iguana, mangrove monitor, water anole and common five lined skink. 

Lizards among many species have a life expectancy of about 30 years if they are able to stay clear of predators, survive in the wild and are able to eat and find safe refuge in their habitats.

The chameleon has the shortest lifespan of 1 to 3 years and they are the cutest and so small in size. 

There are lizards that you can bring home as pets provided you have a proper place to house them.

The most popular lizards to make good family pets are the 

Leopard gecko which grows to 10 inches in size and can be held gently in the palm of your hand and has a friendly demeanor. If cared for properly they can live to 10 to 20 years. 

Bearded dragons grow to a size of 13 to 24 inches, are playful creatures and have a good temperament and can live to 15 years if well cared for.

Crested geckos are climbers so they need a tall aquarium to properly house them. They make good pets and grow to a size of 8 inches and can live to 25 years if well cared for.

Blue tongued skinks are unique as their name implies. They make for wonderful pets if you can find one. They are intelligent and friendly. They grow to 24 inches and can live to 25 years if well cared for.

Green Anoles are small lizards that are colorful growing from 5 to 8 inches in length and are quick. They have a shorter lifespan of 3 to 5 years and must be cared for properly.

There are many other lizards that make for good pets.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that any pet lizard requires safe living conditions in an aquarium or terrarium and must be fed a proper diet of insects, rodents and have plenty of water on hand. 

They must be kept in a proper encasing with a safe temperature controlled environment and be monitored daily. 

If you wish to hold your lizard you must cradle it gently and carefully and properly place it back in its encasing so it can navigate its space.

If you take care of them they will provide years of happiness and joy for the family.

Lizards are amazing reptiles that are colorful and fun to watch in their surroundings.

Lizards range in colors of green, yellow, blue, red, orange, brown, black, rainbow and multicolored. 

Lizards generally are solitary and territorial so you must be careful pairing lizards as they may fight and attack each other. 

In the beginning start with one lizard and make sure they have an adequately sized aquarium or terrarium with all their physical and social needs met. 

Make it a habitable place for your lizard with a spacious enclosure and plenty of hiding spots with rocks, branches and plants to simulate their natural habitat.

Allow your pet lizard cuddle time where you gently hold it outside of its surroundings. 

Feed your pet lizard by hand occasionally.

Provide them a room with a view of the outside.

When the time is right introduce them to a lizard that serves as a safe companion.

Play soft music or tune into a tv show featuring reptiles.

Lizards have roamed the earth for hundreds of millions of years and they fascinate us to this very day.

I enjoy burrowing and sometimes taking on the water. I have natural instincts to survive because I never meet my mother after I hatch from the egg. I’m on my own.

I’m a lizard