Changes

[[Image:Lizard_closeup.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The scaly appearance of lizard skin''' (© Baccharus, Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Lizard_closeup.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The scaly appearance of lizard skin''' (© Baccharus, Wikimedia Commons)]]

Lizards have relatively thick skin with ectodermal scales formed by folding of the epidermis and outer dermal layers. Lizards undergo reguler periods of [[Lizard Shedding|shedding]] (ecdysis) during which the skin comes off in large patches. Frequency depends on the species, temperature, humidity, state of [[Reptile Diet Composition|nutrition]], and rate of growth. Presence of wounds or skin infections maybe increase the frequency of shed cycles.

Lizards have relatively thick skin with ectodermal scales formed by folding of the epidermis and outer dermal layers. Lizards undergo regular periods of [[Lizard Shedding|shedding]] (ecdysis) during which the skin comes off in large patches. Frequency depends on the species, temperature, humidity, state of [[Reptile Diet Composition|nutrition]], and rate of growth. Presence of wounds or skin infections maybe increase the frequency of shed cycles.

*Lizards such as geckos have soft, vulnerable skin.  

*Lizards such as geckos have soft, vulnerable skin.  

In species that have rapid colour changes (''Chamaeleo'' spp. and ''Anolis'' spp.), cells called [[Chromatophore|chromatophores]] are abundant and under hormonal or neurologic control (or sometimes both). [[Chromatophore|Chromatophores]]  are pigmented cells, located just beneath the basal lamina, that may react to stimulation from light or changes in temperature.

In species that have rapid colour changes (''Chamaeleo'' spp. and ''Anolis'' spp.), cells called [[Chromatophore|chromatophores]] are abundant and under hormonal or neurologic control (or sometimes both). [[Chromatophore|Chromatophores]]  are pigmented cells, located just beneath the basal lamina, that may react to stimulation from light or changes in temperature.

==References==

==References==