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[[Image:Lizard_anole.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Defensive behaviour in an anole''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Lizard_anole.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Defensive behaviour in an anole''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
Lizards tend to be bright, alert and responsive. Captive-born ones will tolerate handling and appear to become tame. Wild-caught lizards are often shy, wary and try to escape at the slightest disturbance.
Lizards tend to be bright, alert and responsive, almost inquisitive. Captive-born ones are more tame and docile, and tolerate handling and sometimes relax when being lightly stroked. Wild-caught lizards are often shy, wary and try to escape at the slightest disturbance.
==Defensive behaviour==
==Defensive behaviour==
When threatened, iguanas, monitors and other lizards tend to display defensive aggression. They stand sideways to the threat, swallow air to increase their size, stand high off the ground to look bigger and lash at the threat with their tails. Some lizards may display head bobbing and push-ups or gape and threaten to bite.
Defensive behaviour is associated with territoriality, escape from potential predators or may be ritualised with reproduction or feeding. It may be exhibited with humans, conspecifics, other animals or with no stimulation.
Defensive behaviour is associated with territoriality, escape from potential predators or may be ritualised with reproduction or feeding. It may be exhibited with humans, conspecifics, other animals or with no stimulation.
==Aggressive behaviour==
==Aggressive behaviour==
When several lizards are housed together aggression and dominance is not always overtly physical since actual fighting may not occur. Subtle behaviour by the dominant lizard may result in the subordinate staying away from basking areas and food and slowly dying of stress-enhanced hypothermia and starvation.
When several lizards are housed together aggression and dominance is not always overtly physical since actual fighting may not occur. Subtle behaviour by the dominant lizard may result in the subordinate staying away from basking areas and food and slowly dying of stress-enhanced hypothermia and starvation.
==References==
* Mader, D.R. (2005). ''Reptile Medicine and Surgery''. Saunders. pp. 1264. ISBN 072169327X