the.com/lizard
a tiny dinosaur that drops its tail to win an argument with death
means a small to medium scaly reptile with four legs, a long tail, and usually clawed toes, found across most of the warmer world.
from From Old French 'lesarde,' which traces back to Latin 'lacertus' — a word that doubled as both 'lizard' and 'muscle,' likely because a flexing bicep, rippling under the skin, looked like a little creature darting beneath. The same Latin root gives us 'alligator,' by way of Spanish 'el lagarto,' 'the lizard.'
- tail trick
- detached tails keep wiggling to distract predators
- third eye
- many have a light-sensing spot atop the skull
- solar diet
- some bask to absorb vitamin D through skin
- regrowth
- lost tails regrow, but with cartilage not bone
- speed run
- basilisks sprint across water on two legs
komodo dragon — largest living lizard species, up to 10 feet long, found only in indonesia
green anole — common pet lizard native to southeastern united states, can change color
frilled-neck lizard — iconic australian lizard with distinctive neck frill, found in northern territory
basilisk lizard — central american species that can run on water, nicknamed 'jesus christ lizard'