Lizards! The Living Descendants of the Dinosaurs!
Ranked #4,049 in Education, #97,389 overall
Lizards are Fascinating Animals - Bridging the Gap Between Mammals and Snakes! The Dinosaur Link?
Mangrove Monitor Lizard, Tumon, Guam
The most exciting thing about living on Guam was the occasional encounter with the local monitor lizards--officially, they are called the Micronesian Mangrove Monitors (Varanus indicus), but the locals call them "iguanas"--based on what the Spaniards called them when Magellan and early European settlers started coming to the islands (this was based on their perception of the lizards after their experience with the South American/New World iguanids). But the monitor lizards of Guam and the Marianas Islands and the other Micronesian islands are definitely "Old World" lizards. They are related to the Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) of Indonesia and the Thai and Philippine River Monitors (Varanus salvator). You can discover more about these critters at my Squidoo lens on Komodo Dragons and their cousins.
Lizard Wear ... Lizard Decorations! It's All Good!
Lizards Kids Light T-Shirt
If you're someone who loves lizards, share your love with this design with a cute lizard and the words Lizards Make Me Happy.
2012 Year of the Lizard Wall Calendar
2012 has been dubbed the "Year of the Lizard" by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to help highlight conservation of lizards.
Komodo Dragon Resting After a Big Meal
When I learned that the monitor lizards of Guam were related to the Komodo Dragons, it was a thrilling revelation. Although it was somewhat of a wild dream that someday I'd be able to travel to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintje, and Flores to see these animals in person, I never believed that I'd actually do it. The closest I've been to that area is my travel in the Philippines. I've traveled somewhat in the Philippines and although we've encountered the Philippine monitors, I never managed to get a good picture of any. So when I discovered a way to get a picture of a Komodo Dragon more close to home, I jumped on it (the opportunity, not the lizard!). You can learn more about these creatures at my Squidoo lens on Komodo Dragons and Their Relatives.
Lizards by the Bay..... eBay, That Is!
Skinks in Mangilao, Guam, Limestone Forest
Some of the first lizards my family encountered when we moved to Guam were the skinks. At first, we didn't see them. All we heard was their rustling in the leaf litter in the boonies surrounding our home. As we became accustomed to the light and with patience, we could then see the lizards themselves as they scrambled over the leaves and rocks on the jungle floor. You can learn more about these lizards at my Squidoo lens on skinks.
Gecko Enjoying the Crumbs and Bug Feast at a Beachside Restaurant, Boracay Island, Philippines
Some of our wildest experiences on Guam were the Geckos--these critters could not only scramble up the walls of our house (and the windows), but could gallop across the ceiling (upside down, of course) while chasing bugs during the night. Geckos were considered to be "good luck" in the house by the locals--they ate mosquitos and ants and most of the other bugs available (and a lot were available!). You can learn more about these amazing critters at my lens on geckos.
You Want a Lizard, But Don't Want to Feed It?
The Critters Here Don't Eat Much, But They're Still Impressive
Your kids (or those feeling like kids) will have many fun hours playing with these critters.... they're good at home, or in the cubicle at work. Either way, you'll have fun with these!
Wild Republic Polybag Reptile
This set of 5 lizards comes in an 8x12 inch bag. L more...0 points
ALLIGATOR by Safari, Ltd.
The Wild Safari hand-painted, authentic, and affor more...0 points
Incredible Creatures- Frilled Lizard
Extra large, soft, and flexible to the touch, Safa more...0 points
Safari LTD Incredible Creatures Saltwater Crocodile
Realistically detailed Saltwater Crocodile is foot more...0 points
Bloco Toys - Lizards and Chameleons
Calming construction toy set with six separate mod more...0 points
Safari LTD Incredible Creatures Emerald Green Monitor
A life-like desert monitor replica accurately scul more...0 points
Iguana Green Adult
A life-sized replica sculpted and painted with lif more...0 points
Anole perched on a wall, maybe looking for insects to eat. Dededo, Guam
In addition to the geckos on Guam, the other wall-climbing lizards were the anoles! Unlike the geckos--who didn't care about where they scampered, the anoles seemed to prefer to be outside. You can read more about these lizards on my Squidoo lens about Anoles.
Lizard Reading... Slither on in here and grab a book!
Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity (Organisms and Environments) by Eric R. Pianka
From tiny to gigantic, from drab to remarkably beautiful, more...0 points
Monitors, Tegus, and Related Lizards (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by Richard Bartlett, Patricia Bartlett
Monitors originate in Asia, Africa, Australia, and more...0 points
Terrarium and Cage Construction and Care by Richard Bartlett, Patricia Bartlett
Reptile and amphibian owners add a new dime nsion more...0 points
Savannah Monitors: A Complete Guide to Varanus Exanthematicus (Complete Herp Care) by Mark K. Bayless
For both beginner and advanced hobbyists comes a brand more...0 points
Lizard Care from A to Z: From Anoles to Zonosaurs by R.D. Bartlett, Patricia Bartlett
Terrarium hobbyists will find a wealth of detailed more...0 points
Big Lizards Like This Crocodile Make for Great Adventure Stories!
But be sure to assure your kids that the crocs won't really hang out in the rafters of their bedrooms!
When I lived on Guam, I managed to take a vacation side trip to the Rock Islands of Palau (Republic of Belau). It was here that the famed salt-water crocodiles--the ones that made "Crocodile Dundee" famous. I was joining a SCUBA diving tour to the islands, and wasn't really going down there to see the crocodiles (okay, maybe I did have a passing interest in seeing them). But the place and our hotel had lots of warning signs about not swimming or snorkeling in the area waters from 5am through 9am and from 5pm through 10pm ... why? Because those are the times when the salt-water crocs do most of their hunting and feeding. Note that I said MOST! When a big croc is hungry, it doesn't matter when--it just goes and grabs what it wants to eat. (And I don't mean at McDonald's!). Anyway, I digress. If you'd like to know more about these truly large and scary lizards, you'll have to go to my Squidoo lens on Crocodiles and Alligators to really get the info! And really, these things won't climb up onto your rafters (unless you have a beach house near a mangrove swamp in Southeast Asia, Australia, or the Western Pacific Islands--then, you may have something to worry about).
Lizard Links! All Scales! Large Scale and Small Scale!
- Komodo Dragons and their Cousins - The Monitor Lizards
- This lens is based on my experiences with the monitor lizards of Guam and the Asian Pacific.
- Geckos! Sticky Pawed Wall-Climbers
- This lens is based on my experiences with the geckos of Guam and the Asian Pacific.
- Gila Monsters and Mexican Beaded Lizards - The Venomous Lizards of the American Southwest
- This lens is based on my experiences with the Gila Monsters and relatives of the American Southwest.
- Skinks
- This lens is based on my experiences with the skinks of New Mexico and Guam.
- Anoles!
- This lens is based on my experiences with the anoles of Guam and the Asian Pacific
- Horned Lizards (aka the "Horney Toads") - Strange Critters of the American Southwest
- This lens is based on my experiences with the horned lizards of New Mexico and Texas.
- Crocodiles, Caimans, Gharials, and Alligators
- This lens is based on some of my experiences with these interesting animals.
- Komodo Dragons Versus Crocodiles.. In a Fight, Who Do You Think Would Win?
- Yup... you know that someone would think of this... so I figured I'd come up with the premise and the possible outcomes. You'll have to go out there and check it out.
Horned Lizard in a Southern New Mexico Desert (near Alamogordo)
Some of my first experiences with lizards were with the horned lizards of the New Mexico desert. Maybe chasing these critters through the deserts of the American Southwest was what encouraged me to study biology in college. Whatever the case, you can read more about these critters at my Squidoo lens on Horned Lizards.
Huggable Lizards... yeah, that's a stretch... but these fit the concept!
Ty Beanie Babies Slayer the Frilled Dragon September 26, 2000
Ty Beanie Babies Slayer The Frilled Dragon Septemb more...0 points
Ty Beanie Babies Scaly the Lizard
Ty Beanie Babies Scaly the Lizard from the Beanie more...0 points
Webkinz Plush Stuffed Animal Leopard Lizard
Leopard Lizard Webkinz By Ganz0 points
Alligator Lizard in a Vineyard, Napa Valley, California
You Want to See Lizards? Depends on Where You Are!
Depending on What Kind of Lizards You Want to See, You Can Book Your Trip Here!
Well, Stop Flicking Your Tongue and Drop a Note Here!
-
-
blackspanielgallery
May 8, 2011 @ 10:41 pm | delete
- Excellent work
-
-
-
iSandy
May 5, 2011 @ 8:18 am | delete
- Living in Florida we have plenty of lizards, the most common are the anoles. Fun little creatures to watch.
-
-
-
bejeezers Feb 14, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- Loved your lens. Added to my Featured Lens side module on Lizards can be funny too.
-
-
-
JoyfulPamela
Jun 5, 2010 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Wonderful idea, Dave! You write such great info pages on lizards! I'll add this to my amphibian / reptile page for teachers and students. :D
-
-
-
JaguarJulie Jun 5, 2010 @ 4:44 pm | delete
- Ah, I was looking for the lounge lizards ... I think I will be seeing a few this evening. What a great way to organize all those lovely lizards! Smiling at YOU. Lizard lips. ;)
-
Create your own Squidoo lenses by starting here!
Just click on the icon below -- it's easy, it's fast, and best of all, it's FUN!
Squid graphic courtesy of Squidoo Squid Graphics For Your Lenses! by GreekGeek.
by EditorDave
If you need documentation or editorial help, or assistance with financial services, please drop me a note.
Living on Guam is what now "defines" me. ...
more »
- 329 featured lenses
- Winner of 25 trophies!
- Top lens » Japanese Movies - The Old, Modern, Fun, and Bizarre!
Explore related pages
- Komodo Dragons and Relatives - the Monitor Lizards Komodo Dragons and Relatives - the Monitor Lizards
- Geckos - Wall-Climbing Lizards! Geckos - Wall-Climbing Lizards!
- The Venomous Lizards - Gila Monster and Mexican Beaded Lizard! The Venomous Lizards - Gila Monster and Mexican Beaded Lizard!
- Horned Lizards or Horny Toads, Spiny Desert Critters! Horned Lizards or Horny Toads, Spiny Desert Critters!
- Crocodiles, Caimans, Gharials, and Alligators Crocodiles, Caimans, Gharials, and Alligators
- Anoles - Wall-Walking Lizards! Anoles - Wall-Walking Lizards!
All About Lizards - This Book Covers 'Em!
All About Lizards
Amazon Price: $5.59 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is a nicely illustrated book that give youngers many of the answers to the questions they're asking about lizards. For young readers who may not be that enthusiastic about reading, this book will encourage them with the "Wow" factor!
Lizards all over the place in this book!
Fun Facts About Lizards! (I Like Reptiles and Amphibians!)
Amazon Price: $6.46 (as of 06/02/2012)
Another nicely illustrated book that presents many of the interesting facts about lizards in a way that young readers (and old readers) will enjoy!
You Want Lizards on Your Coffee Table? Well, Of Course You Do!
Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity (Organisms and Environments)
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is a wonderful coffee-table book--with pictures and narratives of all the lizard experiences the authors and photographers have to describe. Not only great for junior high and high school readers, but also great for adult nature fans!
