Are Lizard Amphibians

Most of you have seen the lizards in your room, stores, or schools, but have you ever thought which class of animals lizards belong to? Are lizards amphibians or reptiles?

Lizards are reptiles, not amphibians, because they do not possess characteristics that are required to be in the class Amphibia.

In this blog, we learn why lizards are not amphibians. Explore interesting facts about them and what their characteristics are that make them different from class amphibians.

What Are Lizards?

Lizards are cold-blooded animals that belong to the class of reptilia, in which snakes, turtles, and crocodiles are also included. They are known for their scaly skin, long tail, and ability to move quickly. They mainly live on land, but some of their species are great swimmers are live near rivers, streams, or the ocean. 

Some species are great swimmers and find their predators in water. If they spend a lot of time in water but they finally have to come out on land for basking, laying eggs, or breathing in air.

• Therefore, Lizards belong to the group Reptilia, which possess all the features that are required to be in the class Reptiles.

Are Lizards Reptiles or Amphibians?

The features of a lizard are given in detail that showing that the lizards are not amphibians. Here are the details of the features;

Cold-blooded 

Both reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded species. Lizards are cold-blooded means their body do not regulates their temperature on their own. They need sun or shade to stay warm. 

Scaly skin

Lizards have scaly, rough, and hard skin, which prevents them from losing water from their body and protects them from injury. But amphibians have soft and porous skin that helps them breathe and absorb water.

Live on land or water  

Amphibians can live both in water and on land. They spend their initial larval stage in water and then on land. Reptiles like  Lizards mostly live on land, but some species of lizards, e.g., marine lizards, green iguana, etc, are great swimmers. Some catch their predators from water, and if a predator attacks from above, i.e hawk, they throw themselves into the water for safety and then come out. Mostly lizards have basic knowledge to swim, but they have adapted specific environment for survival, i.e, dry environment, deserts, or specialized diggers. A lizard with specialized diggers stays out of water.

Hard shell eggs 

The eggs of lizards are leathery shell eggs that cover the babies from drying out. Lizards first find a place for laying eggs that has a suitable environment, holes under rocks or buried in sand, etc. On the other hand, amphibians have jelly-like eggs without a shell; they must lay their eggs in water to prevent them from drying out.

Breathe through the Lungs

Lizards can breathe through their lungs throughout their life. Due to hard skin, they do not have pores and cannot breathe through their skin. But Amphibians have gills and porous skin to breathe. When they become adults, they develop lungs then they breathe from their lungs.

Heart structure 

Lizards have a three-chambered heart, which consists of two atria and one ventricle. Amphibians also have a three-chambered heart with two atria and one ventricle. 

Internal fertilization 

Reproduction happens inside the mother’s body, ensuring that eggs are fertilized before being laid. The baby offspring are identical to their parents, and there is no larval stage. Amphibians have a larval stage, and they have external fertilization.

Lizards are reptiles, not amphibians, due to the following reason: 

• Lizards have dry and scaly skin, but amphibians have smooth and moist skin.
• They have no larval stage like amphibians and have internal fertilization.
• Lizards breathe through lungs, not through gills. 
• Lizards lay eggs with hard shells on land.
• Like other reptiles, lizards are cold-blooded and need sunlight to stay warm.

Are Geckos Lizards Amphibians?

Geckos are small to medium-sized reptile lizards known for their dry scaly skin, sharp night vision, and sticky toe pads that help them climb walls. There are about 1500 species of geckos available. Some characteristics of geckos are ;

•  They have large eyes that enable them to see about a 360-degree angle. 
• They live in warm areas, eat insects, and lay soft-leathery eggs on land. 
• Most of the geckos don't have eyelids; they lick them to keep them clean.
• Some of the species of geckos can walk on water. Their lightweight bodies and toe pads help them to stay above water while moving quickly. 

Why geckos are reptiles 

 Geckos are reptiles due to the following reasons ;

• They have dry, scaly skin.
• They breathe through their lungs. 
• They lay leathery eggs with shells on land 
• They mostly live in dry or warm environments 
• They do not need water like amphibians to survive.

Interesting Facts About Lizards 

Here are some interesting facts about lizards. 

• Many lizards are cold-blooded, so they need to sunbathe to warm their bodies.
• Some lizards, like chameleons, can change their color to blend with their surroundings.
• Mant lizards can detach or drop their tail to escape from a predator, and their tail regrows after some time.
• Lizards use their tongue to smell like snakes.
• Geckos have special toe pads that help them climb smoothly on walls, even ceilings.
• Some lizards, like basilisks, and run on water quickly due to their lightweight body.
• Some lizards eat insects, while others a plants, fruits, or small insects.

Conclusion

Lizards are reptiles with unique abilities that help them to survive in a wide range of environments. Whether climbing vertical surfaces, blending with their surroundings, or regenerating their tails, all these have their characteristics that make them one of the most interesting animals found in nature.