World Lizard Day Special: Unveiling the Wonders of Reptilian Diversity

World Lizard Day History
Facts about Lizards
Importance
Lizard Day related Holidays
Timeline
Statistics that Matter
How to Celebrate Lizard Day?
Domestication and Care
Lizard Day Dates
FAQs

Lizards, currently with 600 species had been a part of our planet from the time of dinosaurs. They are present all over the world except Antarctica continent. In order to celebrate their existence and show them appreciation, World Lizard Day is celebrated every year on August 14. Yet this day doesn’t not exist in some big organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (W.W.F.).

World Lizard Day History

In order to protect these significant reptiles, lizard day is celebrated yet its origins are unclear just like many other holidays. This day was declared to educate people about the lack of interest and knowledge that lizards are facing. Although, the name of this day just shows lizards, yet it is a day for the appreciation of all the reptiles.

Facts about Lizards

Many species of lizards have no legs
Although lizards seem to be much similar with dinosaurs, yet they are different
Some species of lizards can sound, such as geckos can chirp, click, and squeak
Geckos are best known for their ability to cling to surfaces
The sex of reptiles is known by their environment temperature (outside the egg)

Importance

On world lizard day, we come to know about the challenges that are being faced by lizards currently. This day emphasizes their importance worldwide as they are mostly ignored or underestimated by us. Moreover, lizard day provides an opportunity to highlight the diversity of these interesting creatures and the importance of conserving their habitats. Moreover, this day raises awareness among the people to protect lizard species worldwide.

Lizard Day related Holidays

World Wildlife Day: March 3rd
Reptile Awareness Day: October 21st

Timeline

312 Million Years Back

First proto-reptiles

Evolution of the very first proto-reptiles was witnessed during the Carboniferous period.

13th Century

Just 1 group

It was thought that amphibians, reptiles, and worms were alike, so they were put in 1 group.

19th Century

Amphibians vs reptiles

Understanding regarding amphibians vs reptiles was considered to put the both in different categories.

21st Century

Conservation of lizards

Reptile skin trade, being well-paid worked as a trigger to focus the conservation efforts for lizards.

Statistics that Matter

Komodo dragon (3 meter) is considered as the largest and heaviest of all the lizards in the world
There are more than 6,000 species of lizards in the world
The speed of lizards can reach up to 16 miles per hour (25.7 km/h)
Some lizards (like Tuatara) can live for more than 100 years
The smallest lizard in the world is the tiny Jaragua Sphaero (1.6 cm) from the Caribbean
About 1/5th of all the reptile species is considered as endangered or close to extinction

How to Celebrate Lizard Day?

Supporting Scales

You can plan to visit your local reptile park to explore some species of lizards around you. Or even you can support some reptile park or farm to improve their life.

Conserving the Crawlers

Another way of celebration of world lizard day is to host or attend the educational programs at local zoos, or nature centers that focus on lizards. You can learn about their habitats, behaviors, and the importance of conservation.

Spreading Lizard Love

You can get the best use of social media platforms to share and spread the most interesting and fun facts about lizards. You can raise awareness about their conservation issues and encourage people for responsible interactions with these reptiles. On the related note, got the scoop of Iguana?

Painting the Town Lizard

Lizard-themed art and crafts is another way to take part in the celebration of world lizard day. You can draw, paint, or create sculptures of lizards to show people some ways to appreciate these unique creatures.

Delving into Books and Documentaries

Another ways of celebrating this day is to read some lizard based book or watch some documentary based on them. This will be quite knowledgeable way for you to both enjoy and celebrate. Regarding movies, choose from “The Curse of the Komodo”, “Godzilla”, “Frogs”, “Mysterious Island” or “The Lost World”.

Domestication and Care

Lizards need very suitable environment to be domesticated. It is because of their ectothermic nature due to which they rely on their environment for thermoregulation. Moreover, they need a plenty of items as food, typically consisting of insects. You should do complete research before you buy or adopt a pet lizard. In this context, the IUCN provides comprehensive information on conservation efforts, research, and species protection.

Lizard Day Dates

Year	Date	Day
2024	August 14	Wednesday
2025	August 14	Thursday
2026	August 14	Friday
2027	August 14	Saturday
2028	August 14	Monday

FAQs

Yes, lizards can be trained to some extent but not all of them! One can train them through positive reinforcement and conditioning. However, their level of intelligence and responsiveness is unlike for different species.

Lizards do not drink much water during the day. However, the diet of lizards is dependent on their species. They become very active hunters during the day and their diet may include:

Insects: Ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders
Worms and Larvae
Small Vertebrates: Small mammals, birds, or other reptiles
Fruits and Vegetation: Fruits, flowers and vegetables
Arachnids: Scorpions and different types of spiders

Since lizards are ecto-thermic animals, they cannot maintain their body temperature in winter as it is cold outside. In colder temperatures, lizards become very less active and sometimes enter a state of inactivity as they are cold-blooded. Even, most of them hibernate or seek shelter to conserve their energy during the winter months.