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What is a lizard? Very little is known about the striped skink   Most native lizards hatch their eggs internally Lizards are varied in shape and have paired limbs usually with five toes. They are adapted for running climbing or paddling. Lizards have strong jaws with teeth. A lizard's skin is made of tiny scales with few glands so they lose little water through their skins. Lizards can be diurnal or nocturnal and they live in all sorts of places. Some live in trees, others on the ground, while some like to live by the sea. They rely on their environment for warmth. Lizards often hear or smell their food before they see it. Their diet is mainly insects but they also eat berries and seeds. They may lick the nectar from flowers. Lizards help spread seeds and they also pollinate some types of flowers. Lizards' ears are small openings located behind their eyes. Their nostrils are at the end of their noses. Lizards are territorial and nearly all of them make noises. They have brightly coloured mouths to scare away predators and other lizards. Most lizards lay eggs. The Suters skink is the only native lizard that lays eggs as all others give birth to live young. These females hatch their eggs internally. skinks | geckos | chevron skink facts | chevron skink pictures The following table summarises facts about lizards and will be used in other parts of LEARNZ2001 for specific lizards.   Parts of a lizard Features Major Functions External Bones Strong Well developed neck Protects internal organs Supports head Mouth Powerful Efficient jaw Tongue Catching and eating food Licking eyes - geckos Blood Cold blooded Obtain most of its body heat from the environment Organs and muscles 3 chambered heart Lungs Respiration Skin     Hard Smooth Dry Scales Coloured Few glands Reduce water loss Camouflage Absorb heat Regrow tail Legs and feet Paired legs Usually 5 toes Climbing Running Paddling Eyes Moveable eyelids (except geckos) See in the dark Ears External openings Hearing prey Communicating with other lizards Eggs     External or internal hatching Reproduction Print friendly page