Very big lizards like the Komodo dragon have so much mass that their bodies trap a lot of heat, allowing them to maintain a fairly consistent body temperature, almost like a mammal, Conrad said. But for small lizards, maintaining this consistency is more difficult. read more
Like any pest, a lizard will bite as a means of self-defense when it feels threatened. Most bites occur when people try to catch the reptiles in their hands to remove them from homes or yards. This approach can be dangerous, as the lizard will likely attack. Though most lizards have small teeth, they can easily pierce the skin. read more
The desert monitor lizard's range includes the Sahara, and the only two venomous lizards, the Gila and the horned toad, both make the deserts of the southwest United States their homes. Of the familiar lizard families, marine iguanas are great swimmers. Chameleons are all tree dwellers, along with anoles and skinks. read more