Lizard Quiz – Do you really know them?

Key Points
A lizard is a type of reptile belonging to the order Squamata. This order includes snakes and worm lizards as well as over 7,000 species of lizards. These creatures can be found in almost every region across the globe, with some exceptions, such as Antarctica. Lizards usually have four legs and typically range from about 3 inches to 10 feet in length, depending on the species. All lizards possess scales and claws for digging or climbing on surfaces, and some even have tails that are capable of regenerating if lost or damaged! Most lizards also lay eggs, but several species give birth to live young instead. They feed mainly on insects, although larger varieties may consume other small animals like mice or birds. Their diet varies from one individual to another, and they even have favorite foods.
Quiz Questions
- What is the scientific name for the Blue-Tongued Skink?
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- Tiliqua scincoides
- Tiliqua gigas
- Tiliqua adelaidensis
- Tiliqua nigrolutea
- What is the average lifespan of a Blue-Tongued Skink in captivity?
-
- 10-15 years
- 15-20 years
- 20-25 years
- 25-30 years
- Which of the following is not true about the Blue-Tongued Skink?
-
- They are diurnal
- They are mainly active during the day
- They are mainly active at night
- They are nocturnal
- What is the average length of a western Blue-Tongued Skink?
-
- 6-9 inches
- 9-12 inches
- 12-15 inches
- 15-20 inches
- What is the average weight of a Blue-Tongued Skink?
-
- 4-7 ounces
- 7-10 ounces
- 10-18 ounces
- 19-25 ounces
- What is the scientific name for the Frilled-neck Lizard?
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- Chlamydosaurus kingii
- Lacerta viridis
- Ctenosaura similis
- Varanus salvator
- Frilled-neck lizards are venomous. True or False?
-
- True
- False
- Where do Frilled Lizards live?
-
- Africa
- Australia
- North America
- Asia
- What is the average length of a Frilled Lizard?
-
- 2-3 feet
- 3-4 feet
- 4-5 feet
- 5-6 feet
- What is the average weight of a Frilled Lizard?
-
- 1-2 pounds
- 3-4 pounds
- 4-5 pounds
- 5-6 pounds
- What is the scientific name for the Bearded Dragon?
-
- Pogona vitticeps
- Ctenosaura similis
- Varanus salvator
- Chlamydosaurus kingii
- What is the average lifespan of a Bearded Dragon in captivity?
-
- 5-7 years
- 7-9 years
- 9-11 years
- 11-15 years
- Which of the following is true about the Bearded Dragon?
-
- They are diurnal
- They are mainly active during the day
- They are mainly active at night
- They are nocturnal
- What is the average length of a Bearded Dragon?
-
- 6-9 inches
- 9-12 inches
- 12-15 inches
- 16-24 inches
- What is the average weight of a Bearded Dragon?
-
- 4-7 ounces
- 7-10 ounces
- 10-13 ounces
- 13-19 ounces
- What is the scientific name for the Leopard Gecko?
-
- Eublepharis macularius
- Tropidurus torquatus
- Uromastyx acanthinurus
- Sceloporus occidentalis
- What is the average lifespan of a Leopard Gecko in captivity?
-
- 5-7 years
- 7-9 years
- 8-11 years
- 11-20 years
- Which of the following is true about the Leopard Gecko?
-
- They are light lavendar with dark purple spots
- They do not have sticky toe pads
- They have translucent eyelids
- All of the Above
- Which of the following is NOT true about the leopard gecko?
-
- They have a tail that easily breaks off if grabbed by a predator
- They are strictly nocturnal
- They only eat fruit
- They have claws
- Leopard geckos can eat scorpions. True or False?
-
- True
- False
- What is the scientific name for the Green Iguana?
-
- Iguana iguana
- Tiliqua scincoides
- Chlamydosaurus kingii
- Pogona vitticeps
- What is the average lifespan of a Green Iguana in the wild?
-
- 5-7 years
- 7-9 years
- 9-11 years
- 12-15 years
- Where do Green Iguanas live?
-
- Africa
- Australia
- North America
- South America
- What is the average length of a Green Iguana?
-
- 12-18 inches
- 3-4 feet
- 4-5 feet
- 5-6 feet
- Which of the followig is true about the Green Iguana?
-
- They are excellent swimmers
- They shed their skin once a year
- They have a third eye
- All of the Above
Smallest Lizard
Brookesia micra, also known as the Nosy Hara leaf chameleon, is the world's smallest lizard. It can be found in Madagascar and grows to an average of less than one inch in length. This species has a flattened body shape with large eyes on either side of its head for increased vision and spotting prey from far away. Its small size gives it several advantages when hunting or avoiding predators. It can easily hide in tiny crevices or blend into its surroundings due to its camouflage-like coloring. The Brookesia micra is an omnivorous species that feed on insects, snails, spiders, and other small invertebrates that inhabit their environment. Additionally, these lizards enjoy basking on rocks or leaves during the day before retreating to burrows at night for safety and warmth.
Largest Lizard
Komodo dragons are the largest lizards on earth, growing up to 10 feet in length and weighing an average of 200 pounds. Found only in a few small islands in Indonesia, Komodo dragons are carnivores that feed on wild pigs, deer, birds, and other small animals. As ambush predators, they can often be found lying still until their prey is within striking distance before they use their sharp teeth and claws to capture it. These impressive creatures have been known to hunt down water buffalo and even humans!
Lizard Features
Humans have solid skulls, while lizards usually have skulls with movable parts. They have rounded bodies, heads that sit on short necks, four legs, and long tails. Certain kinds of lizards, like chameleons, even have tails that work like an extra hand, helping them to hold onto branches.
Lizards have tough, leathery skin protected by overlapping keratin scales. This allows them to survive in some of the driest areas on the planet as it reduces water evaporation. As lizards grow, they shed their skin in pieces, which is different from snakes, who shed it in one piece.
Lizard Teeth and Tongue
The teeth of lizards vary depending on the type of food they consume, ranging from carnivorous to herbivorous. Generally, lizards have teeth that are appropriate to their diet, but some species possess specialized teeth, such as sharp ones in the front of the mouth and flat ones in the back.
Lizards have tongues that can be extended outside the mouth. monitor lizards, beaded lizards, and whiptails use their forked tongues to sense their environment, flicking out from their mouth to investigate. Geckos use their tongues to clean their eyes since they do not have eyelids. Chameleons have particularly sticky tongues that they can extend quickly in order to catch insects.
Lizard Feet
Three species of lizards - anoles, chameleons, and geckos - have specialized feet that allow them to stick to surfaces without the need for a liquid adhesive. These pads are made up of millions of tiny hairs that fit tightly to the surface and adhere due to van der Waals forces. Furthermore, chameleons' toes are arranged in two opposing groups on each foot, which allows them to grip onto branches.
Scientists have recently figured out how geckos are able to stick to vertical walls and even hang upside down - it's due to their ability to quickly control the adhesiveness of their feet.
Geckos are able to stick to walls and ceilings due to the hundreds of microscopic hairs on their toes, known as setae. Each seta divides into even tinier bristles called spatulae. Scientists have already recognized that these tiny tufts of hair can get so close to the surface of a wall or ceiling that the van der Waals force is activated. This is a physical bond that occurs when electrons from the gecko hairs and electrons from the wall molecules interact and form an electromagnetic attraction.
Scientists have recently uncovered the intricate mechanics behind how geckos are able to move so quickly. They have found that the combination of forces and the angle of the toe hairs on their feet work together to help them stick and unstick easily, allowing them to run up to 20 times their body length in a single second.
Oh, How They Move!
Most lizards, excluding legless ones, walk on four legs and switch between the right and left limbs while moving, with their body curved. This type of movement prevents them from taking in deep breaths and therefore limits their stamina, a phenomenon called Carrier's constraint.
The ability to run bipedally gives lizards a great advantage in their environment, allowing them to move quickly and efficiently. Smaller species are able to use aerodynamics and the shape of their bodies to glide from high places, with some attaining distances up to 200 feet while losing only 33 feet in height!
Geckos and chameleons have even evolved the amazing ability of adhesion which allows them to climb vertical surfaces such as glass or ceilings. But one of the most extraordinary abilities is that of the common basilisk, which can actually run across the water! This impressive feat is achieved by using its long hind legs and tail for propulsion, much like a mini-motorboat. It's no wonder why these creatures fascinate us so much. They possess many unique adaptations that allow them to navigate through their environments with ease!
Lizard Senses
Lizards rely on their senses just like all other animals. But the primary senses used depend on the type of habitat the species lives in. For example, skinks that live mostly under the soil rely more on their sense of smell and touch, while geckos rely mostly on their clear vision to be able to identify and approach their prey. Monitor lizards use their keen vision to hunt.
Lizards have unique abilities when it comes to using their senses. For instance, chameleons can look in two directions at once without overlapping their field of view.
Some lizards do not have external ears, but they have a round opening that reveals the eardrum. A lot of species depend on their hearing in order to detect potential predators and will rapidly run away if they hear even the tiniest sound.
Lizards possess a specialized sense of smell thanks to the vomeronasal organ. Monitor lizards use their tongue to transfer scent information to the organ. Strangely, they do not use this organ for consuming food.
Iguanas possess a unique photosensory organ on their heads called the parietal eye. This "eye" is unable to produce images. However, it is capable of detecting changes in light and dark as well as movements which helps it to detect potential predators that may be hunting it from up overhead.
In conclusion, lizards are a fascinating group of animals that have many unique characteristics. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiniest geckos to the giant Komodo dragons. They can be found on almost every continent and in various climates, with each species having adapted to its environment in different ways. Lizards also play an important role in their ecosystems as both predators and prey for other animals. Understanding more about these creatures is essential for us to appreciate their diversity and importance within our world.
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