Lizards are often misunderstood creatures, but their behaviors and adaptations are nothing short of extraordinary. What do lizards do to be so noteworthy? Prepare to be amazed.

Lizards’ bodies are miracles of evolution. These odd-looking and sometimes rather cute creatures comprise over 4,675 species, all descended from reptiles who lived on the planet over 200 million years ago. They can be as big as 10 feet long or as tiny as half an inch, all with unique colors, features and abilities. Let’s explore the fascinating true things these riveting reptiles can do.

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1. They can see in different ways

The first of their awesome assets is their eyes, with different types of lizards sporting different peeper features. Chameleons can actually move their eyeballs independently to see in two different directions at the same time, a feature that gives them a 360-degree view around themselves. Other lizards, such as iguanas, have a “third eye.” Called a pineal or parietal eye, it’s located in the middle of their forehead and is light sensitive so they can better navigate by the sun.

2. They can shoot blood out of their eyes

The horned lizard has developed a bunch of amazing adaptations to avoid becoming prey to the many creatures that like to feed on it, including coyotes, hawks, snakes, foxes, bobcats and grasshopper mice. The coolest thing it can do, and one of the incredible animal facts you probably didn’t know before: This lizard can actually squirt blood out of its eyes, shooting it up to 6 feet. But it usually waits until it’s closer to its attacker’s mouth, as the nasty taste causes a predator to back off.

These lizards also alter their defenses depending on which animal is out to get them: They either sit totally still, run, puff up to avoid being swallowed whole or even get stuck in a predator’s throat to take their attacker down with them.

3. They can lick their eyeballs

gecko using its tongue to clean its eyesMartin Harvey/Getty Images

We’re not sure if the tongue or the eyeball is the more interesting lizard body part. Geckos don’t have eyelids; instead, they have a protective membrane over their eyes. But even though they can’t blink, the membrane has to be cleaned somehow, so the lizards actually lick their eyeballs with their tongues. 

Some other cool things lizards can do with their tongues? Like snakes, they use them to smell, catching scents in the air and then tasting them in their mouth. The blue-tongued skink sticks out its brightly colored tongue to scare predators. Some lizards can also shoot out their tongue far and super-fast, according to National Geographic: Chameleons’ tongues, which are twice the length of their body, can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 1/100th of a second to catch prey.

4. They can detach their tails—and regrow them

Lizard tails are pretty cool too. The chameleon’s tail can wrap around branches to help with climbing. The shingle-backed skink has a wide, thick tail that looks like its head to confuse predators. But the most amazing thing some lizards can do with the appendage is detach it in order to get away from predators—and then regrow it. 

Scientists have learned lizard tails are “scored” (or perforated) to help in the detaching process, and they regenerate their tails by turning on certain genes for growth. But research has found that the new tail isn’t quite the same: It’s made of cartilage instead of small bones.

5. They can swim in the ocean

Marine iguanas, which live in the Galapagos Islands, are the only ocean-going lizard in the world. They’re swimming for food—it’s not fish they’re after but the algae growing on rocks. They use their sharp claws to hang on while they scrape it off with their razor-like teeth. They can hold their breath for half an hour but need to resurface to get warm again. They even “sweat” salt through a gland near their nostrils, which creates a white mask on their head.

6. They can walk on water

Called the “Jesus Christ lizard” for its ability to pull off this amazing feat, the basilisk lizard is one of those animals you never knew could walk on water—or, more accurately, run. When pursued by a predator in the rainforests of Central America, the lizard rears up and uses flaps of skin on the toes of its hind legs to give it more surface area. This creates air pockets that keep it afloat as long as it stays up to speed, about 5 feet per second. These lizards can go for about 15 feet before heading underwater. Yup, they can swim too. 

Another species of lizards that can walk on water is the pygmy gecko. This remarkable feat is due to its small size, water-repellent (hydrophobic) skin and unique movement. Pygmy geckos are members of the Gekkonidae family that live deep in the tropical rainforests of South America. These nocturnal carnivores skim the water’s surface by employing the same scientific principle basilisk lizards do—they run so quickly that air pockets form under their feet to keep them afloat. 

7. They can “fly”

draco lizard flying in a rainforestNeagoneFo/Getty Images

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you if you see a lizard flying through the air: The Draco lizard, also called the flying dragon, is the only reptile that glides and is easily one of the cutest little animals in the world.

The 8-inch lizard has “wings,” folds of skin on elongated ribs, which the lizard grabs with its forelimbs. This allows it to fly up to 100 feet between trees, eluding predators on the ground. But these lizards, which live in Southeast Asia, also glide to patrol their territory and use their wings, called patagia, to attract females.

8. They can reproduce by themselves

Like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, “life finds a way” for lizards to reproduce asexually—in other words, without a mate. The whiptail lizard has even evolved to produce no males at all: All the lizards are female. But some other lizard species, such as Komodo dragons and Asian water dragons (as was discovered at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute), can produce either with or without a male. In a process called parthenogenesis, these females can lay fertilized eggs if a male doesn’t happen to be around, giving them a huge advantage in the survival of their species.

9. They can form family ties

Although scientists have long known that lizards take care of themselves from birth—Mom just lays her eggs and leaves—about 20% of lizards have evolved to give birth to live young. (Only a couple of lizard species can do both.) 

But thinking of all lizards as solitary creatures is one of those animal facts you have all wrong. Scientists have discovered that the desert night lizard is more social than previously thought. These lizards give birth to live young and actually form tight-knit family groups that huddle together each winter. Although the young still care for themselves—Mom and Dad don’t provide them with food—they stick around for reasons scientists don’t yet completely understand.

10. They can express themselves with color

Chameleon red and orange on a studio background Jenna Lois Chamberlain/Shutterstock

You know chameleons change color, but we bet you don’t know the real reason why. Contrary to popular belief, a chameleon can’t change its appearance to match any pattern it’s up against; and actually, camouflage isn’t the only purpose for switching their hue. They also use color swaps to regulate their body temperature, as some hues absorb more light. In addition, they use their skin like a big mood ring. Chameleons change their colors to communicate how they’re feeling; a certain shade might warn others to back off their territory or help them attract a mate.

11. They can “talk”

Most people probably don’t think of lizards as big noisemakers, but these creatures can get chatty when they want to. Many types of geckos make chips and chirps, some inaudible to humans but others very pronounced. The tokay gecko got its name from the to-kay sound it makes to attract a mate; the New Caledonian gecko even growls. Like snakes, some lizards, like the gila monster, hiss to ward off enemies.

12. They can climb up vertical surfaces—without sticking

If you’ve ever seen a little lizard on the wall, you might wonder how it got there. Most people probably imagine a bit of stickiness on their feet that lets them cling to vertical surfaces like Spider-Man, but geckos would make superheroes jealous. The creatures have setae, tiny hairs that cause an electrical attraction between molecules (called a van der Waals force), creating “dry adhesion.” It’s kind of like magnets on their feet. In addition, their foot tendons become stiff to better distribute the force, allowing them to hold on tight. New research has also shown that geckos can turn on and off their clinginess by changing the angle of their setae. That way, they’re not stuck for good.

FAQs

What do lizards eat?

Most lizards are insectivores, feeding on crickets, beetles and other small invertebrates. Some species are omnivores or herbivores, eating fruits, vegetables or even smaller animals, depending on their size and habitat.

Can some lizards breathe underwater?

Yes! The water anole (Anolis aquaticus) can stay submerged for up to 16 minutes by creating an air bubble on its snout. This bubble acts like a scuba tank, allowing the lizard to “rebreathe” the air while hiding from predators.

What’s the difference between a lizard and a salamander?

Lizards are reptiles with dry, scaly skin, external ear openings and claws on their toes. They breathe exclusively through lungs and lay leathery eggs on land. 

Salamanders, on the other hand, are amphibians characterized by moist, porous skin without scales. They do not have external ear openings or claws. They can breathe through lungs, gills or their skin. They often lay jellylike eggs in water. Additionally, salamanders are more closely related to frogs than to lizards. 

Why does a lizard need to lie in the sunshine to get energy?

Lizards are ectothermic animals, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Basking in the sun allows them to absorb heat, which is essential for activating their metabolism. This process enables them to perform vital functions, such as movement, digestion and hunting. Without sufficient warmth from the sun, their bodily processes slow down significantly.

How long do lizards live?

Lizard lifespans vary widely by species. Smaller lizards like anoles may live only three to five years, while larger ones like iguanas or monitor lizards can live 10 to 20 years or more. Some species kept in captivity with proper care have been known to live even longer.

Should I buy a pet lizard?

Lizards can make fascinating pets, especially for those interested in reptiles. They are generally quiet and produce minimal allergens. They also require less space compared with traditional pets. While a few reptiles are low-maintenance, most lizards have specific needs, including precise temperature, humidity and lighting conditions, as well as specialized diets. It’s crucial to research the specific care requirements of the lizard species you’re interested in and ensure you’re prepared to meet them. It’s also a good idea to consult with a veterinarian experienced in reptile care before making a decision.

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Tina Donvito
Tina regularly covers relationships, psychology, culture, entertainment and the British royal family for Reader’s Digest. She's also been published by BuzzFeed News, Parade Magazine, the New York Times, Washington Post and Parents online, among others, and her work was selected by author Elizabeth Gilbert for the anthology Eat Pray Love Made Me D...
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Tina Donvito