Lizards
Many lizards today resemble the ancient reptiles of the dinosaur era.
Lizards are reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia, and are descendants of the dinosaurs that once ruled the Earth.
They inhabit all of the continents apart from Antarctica, from sea level to heights of 16,500 feet (5000m). Lizards live in diverse environments and are the most geographically widespread of the reptiles. That makes them the largest group of reptiles with about 5000 species. They have walked the earth for some 200 million years.
Lizard species found in Zimbabwe:
The largest lizard in Zimbabwe is the leguaan, or water monitor, a docile creature that reaches over 2m in length, and swims and spends a lot of time lying around water holes. A smaller version, the savanna leguaan, inhabits kopjes and drier areas.
Also present in large numbers are:
- Geckos
- Chameleons
- Legless snake lizards
- Rock-plated lizards
