Lizards

 

All lizards are reptiles. There are only two types of poisonous lizards that have been discovered so for. One of the types of poisonous lizards is the Beaded Lizard. This lizard has venom glands on the lower jaw. It is 36 inches long and weighs 5 lb. The Beaded lizard eats small mammals, birds, lizards, and eggs. The lizard hunts all year round mainly at night. The Beaded Lizard lives in the sub-humid areas in Mexico along the Pacific coast.

           The other of the two poisonous lizards is the Gila monster. This lizard can grow up to 23in. long and can weigh up to 3 lb. The average life span is 20 years. The diet of the Gila Monster is mainly bird eggs, reptile eggs, baby birds, baby mice, and baby rats. The unique lizard lives in the desert and moves about very slowly. They are mainly active at night. The Gila Monster uses its tongue to pick up the scent of baby animals in the sand. When the Gila Monster eats, it can store a surplus as fat in its tail. It can survive months without eating food.  It can live off the fat in its tail. This lizard lives in the deserts of the South Western United States. There is about three hundred and fifty-seven Gila Monsters in captivity (1990). The Gila Monsters are protected under the Arizona State Law.

           The Komodo Dragon is one of the rarest lizards in the world. It is also the largest lizard in the world. The adult male is 8.6 ft. long, and weighs 200lb. The female is 7.6 ft. long, and weighs 150lb. The average life span of the Komodo Dragon is about 20 years. The Komodo eats anything it can catch. Its favorites include deer, goat, wild boar, and even smaller Komodos. The komodo is most active in the day, has excellent eyesight, and is a good swimmer. This lizard can move vary quickly over short distances. It can track an animal from up to 4 miles away. The habitat is lowland areas, mainly open with open grassland and palm trees. They live on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, Padar, Flores, Gili, Mota and Owadi Sami. The Komodo is endangered because of habitat destruction. There is about 2500- 5000 left in the wild.  

          One unique lizard is the Green Iguana. The Green Iguana can grow 6-8 ft. including the tail. This lizard's life span is about 10 years. It eats plant including young shoots, fruits, flowers, and leaves.  It is a quick climber and most always found in trees. The Green Iguana is also a very good under water swimmer. The Iguana uses the whip lashing of tail to defend it self. The female lies up to 70 eggs. The eggs are in incubation for 3 months, and are 10 in. when they hatch and grow up to 3 ft. long in the first year. They live in the tropical forests in central and northern South America. The Green Iguana is exploited for their skins. They are also sold as pets, for food in South America.

          Another unique lizard is the Rhinoceros Lizard. This lizard is 2 ft. long snout to vent}. The Rhinoceros Iguana eats plants and animal material. This lizard is most active during the day. It likes to bask in the sun. It lives in dry country area with thorn bushes and thickets of cactus. It mainly lives on Lesser Antillean island of Haiti. There is no estimate of Rhinoceros Lizards in the wild. This lizard is being harmed by destruction of habitat. The predators are mongoose, pigs, and dogs. 

 

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