Celebrating the Small Reptiles That Keep Ecosystems in Balance
Every year on August 14, reptile enthusiasts, educators, and conservationists observe “World Lizard Day”. It is an occasion to learn about one of the most diverse and often misunderstood groups of animals. Their bodies are covered with scales and have varied life spans. Many lizards make sounds, ranging from soft chirps and clicks to loud calls. One of the most useful services provided by many lizards is that they eat insects. Lizards have a rich place in Indian folklore. Some believe the place on the body where a lizard falls or touches a person, or sudden appearance, is interpreted as an omen. Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram, in Tamil Nadu, is also known for lizard-related religious traditions. The IUCN’s Monitor Lizard Specialist Group notes that range-restricted species can be especially vulnerable. Conservation often concentrates on large animals—Tigers, Elephants, rhinos, and Whales. Lizards also deserve attention.
Through The Naturalist’s Eyes, A Sparrow Can Be as Interesting as A Bird of Paradise, The Behaviour Of A Mouse As Interesting As That Of A Tiger, And A Humble Lizard As Fascinating As A Crocodile.
Gerald Durrell, The Amateur Naturalist
Every year on August 14, reptile enthusiasts, educators and conservationists observe World Lizard Day. It is an occasion to learn about one of the most diverse and often misunderstood groups of animals. Even though Lizards are often associated with the small geckos seen on household walls, they belong to the reptile group and include thousands of species with remarkably different shapes, sizes, colours and lifestyles.
Lizards occur naturally on every continent except Antarctica. They are especially diverse in tropical and subtropical regions. A few countries (Iceland and Ireland) and territories are naturally lizard-free, mainly because they are extremely cold. Their diversity is particularly striking in tropical regions; India is home to 7–8% of the world’s recorded species.
From Tiny to Enormous
Lizards vary enormously in size. The smallest are barely longer than a fingernail, while the largest reach more than 3 metres. Many common house geckos are nocturnal. At night, they emerge from hiding places and position themselves near lights, where insects congregate. Geckos can climb vertical surfaces and ceilings because their feet have specialised microscopic structures that generate adhesion. Most lizards are ectothermic; their body temperature depends on their surroundings. Their bodies are covered with scales and have varied life spans. The house gecko (~3–5 years), the garden lizard (~5–8 years), and some large lizards (Komodo dragon) live for more than two decades.
Many lizards make sounds, ranging from soft chirps and clicks to loud calls. The next time you hear a mysterious “chirp” or “click” from a wall at night, it may not be an insect—it could be a lizard having a conversation. Most lizards are neither venomous nor poisonous. Humans consume lizards in some parts of the world, but this is relatively uncommon.
Nature’s Pest Controllers
One of the most useful services provided by many lizards is something that happens largely unnoticed. They eat insects such as mosquitoes, moths, flies, cockroaches and other arthropods. A lizard moving around a house at night is therefore not necessarily a pest—it may actually be helping to control insects naturally. In forests and agricultural landscapes, lizards form an important part of food webs. They consume insects and other small animals, and they become food for snakes, birds, mammals and larger reptiles.
Not Every Animal Needs to Be Beautiful, Large Or Cuddly To Be Valuable.
Lizards have attracted considerable scientific interest because of their capacity to regenerate parts of their bodies, particularly their tails. Scientists study these processes to understand tissue regeneration and repair. Chameleons and several other lizards can change their appearance or use colours and patterns that make them difficult to detect.
Fear of lizards is common; for some people, however, the fear becomes intense and persistent; this is referred to as herpetophobia (fear of reptiles).
Lizards have a rich place in Indian folklore, astrology and traditional beliefs. Some believe the place on the body where a lizard falls or touches a person, or a sudden appearance, is interpreted as an omen.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram, in Tamil Nadu, is also famous for lizard-related religious traditions. The temple has golden and silver lizard sculptures on the ceiling. Devotees traditionally touch them, as it is believed to remove or protect against the adverse effects associated with lizards.
Despite their adaptability, lizards are not immune to environmental change. The IUCN’s Monitor Lizard Specialist Group notes that many monitor-lizard species remain poorly understood and that range-restricted species can be especially vulnerable. The observation focuses on enhancing the understanding of the role played by them.
Conservation Often Concentrates on Large and Charismatic Animals—Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos And Whales. Lizards Rarely Receive the Same Attention.
Toon: Reema
Logs: M Sai Baba
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