Some common myths and misconceptions about lizards

Many of today’s reptile keepers are very knowledgeable consumers who have done research online about the pet lizard they are about to acquire. There are also a number of popular shows that focus on reptiles and amphibians from around the world that help broaden the average person’s understanding of these rare and exotic animals. Unfortunately, there are still some myths and misconceptions about lizards and we hope to dispel some of the most obvious in this article.

One of the most common misconceptions that most novice reptile enthusiasts seem to have is that all large lizards are Komodo dragons. The Komodos appear to be the King Kong of the Monitor Lizards with their impressive size and infamous name. The fact is that only zoos can house, exhibit and breed Komodo dragons and each of them is owned by the Indonesian government, which strictly prohibits access to these rare creatures. They are found on five islands in Indonesia, where they are a great attraction for tourists and provide a large part of the income of the local population. Although a close relative of the Komodo lizard that grows very large is the Indonesian water monitor, those animals can be sold and are not protected, so they are usually the source of the error.

Another misconception about selling lizards in captivity is based on the alligator lizards of Central America. These brightly colored cousins ​​of the Tegu Lizard have a broad silvery body that is very similar in appearance to their namesake the South American Cayman. They grow to a manageable adult size of four feet long and are typically found on or near tree branches on hanging rivers in Paraguay, Peru, and Colombia. Although they have very sharp teeth that they use to capture and crush their prey consisting of snails, fish, and invertebrates, captive alligator lizards are calm and easy to handle. They can also be maintained on a diet consisting of canned food, frozen snails, and ground turkey, or a monitor diet and tegu.

Another misconception is that all lizards have the ability to regenerate their tails when in reality this is quite a confusing ability for some lizards and geckos while it is impossible for others. The amazing ability to regenerate a body part exists in most geckos, most iguanas and tegus, while their close relatives completely lack that ability. Although the regenerated tail will never look the same as the original, the replacement is functional and much better than a stump. Some of these animals may even grow a forked or branched tail if the damage is minor and does not break completely.

While many questions about lizards and their habits and habitats have been answered by the hard work of researchers and breeders around the world, there are still many interesting facts that will come to light in the future. As always, do your due diligence and find out the lizard’s individual needs when it comes to diet, lighting, habitat size, and longevity before making a purchase.