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angry lizard
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata, which they share with the snakes (Ophidians). They are usually four-legged, with external ear openings and movable eyelids. Species range in adult length from a few centimeters (some Caribbean geckos) to nearly three meters (Komodo dragons).
Some lizard species called "glass snakes" or "glass lizards" have no functional legs, though there are some vestigial skeletal leg structures. They are distinguished from true snakes by the presence of eyelids and ears. The tail of glass lizards, like many other lizards, will break off as a defense mechanism, unlike snakes. They, like many other reptiles are mistaken to be slimey and really are dry.
Many lizards can change color in response to their environments or in times of stress. The most familiar example is the chameleon, but more subtle color changes occur in other lizard species as well (most notably the anole, also known as the "house chameleon" or "chamele").
Lizards typically feed on insects or rodents. A few species are omnivorous or herbivorous; a familiar example of the latter is the iguana, which is unable to properly digest animal protein. Until very recently, it was thought that only two lizard species were venomous: the Mexican beaded lizard and the closely-related Gila monster, both of which live in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. However recent research at the University of Melbourne, Australia and Pennsylvania State University has revealed that in fact many lizards in the iguanians and monitor (lizard) families have venom-producing glands. None of these poses much danger to humans, as their poison is introduced slowly by chewing, rather than injected as with poisonous snakes. Nine toxins previously thought to only occur in snakes have been discovered, and a number of previously unseen chemicals as well. |
clnaef, irimi, cicindela, JoseMiguel has marked this note useful
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- clnaef
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(6814) - [2007-03-22 12:23]
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Bonjour,
C'est vrai qu'il semble importuné par la présence du photographe !
Bonne journée.
clnaef
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- irimi
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 35 W: 2 N: 48]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(262) - [2007-03-22 12:35]
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Hello Marjan,
Is he threatning you? :) It seems injured. Very nice colors. TFS.
Greetings,
Ahmet
Hi Marjan,
Very close approach to this lizard!
It seems the reptile has a recent injurie, in the left leg, as in the other has a lack of fingers.
So you catched it in a very angry pose, like defending himself or perhaps threatening you to keep away.
A dramatic expression catched.
Well documentary job here.
Best reagrds,
JM
Hello Marjan!
Vey interesting POV and nice presentation! This specimen looks really angry (and I think it is hurt too). The pose of this species is very mobile, and the lizard looks like a few seconds before attack :>
Bravo also for the note, very professional and very informative. I hope to see more of your photos soon :)
Greetings,
Radomir
PS. A few years ago I had oportunity to see in Croatia another lizard, its photo you can see here.
Hi Marjan, lovely portrait of a lizard with great pose, beautiful colors and excellent sharpness, splendid light, very well done, ciao Silvio
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- Krima
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 60 W: 5 N: 7]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(8) - [2007-05-07 18:10]
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Nice subject! Is it injured? seems that he has some blood...;-(
My best regards,
Crina
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 474 W: 14 N: 360]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1406 W: 3 N: 1572]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(5506)