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[[Image:Portrait_Iguana.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Green Iguana (''Iguana iguana'')''' (Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Portrait_Iguana.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Green Iguana (''Iguana iguana'')''' (© Author Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Lizard_taxa.JPG|350px|thumb|right]]

[[Image:Lizard_taxa.JPG|350px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]

 

With their growth in popularity as domestics pets, lizards are being presented to veterinary surgeons in increasing numbers. They are a diverse group of animals and can often pose problems for vets who have seldom, or perhaps never, handled them.  

With their growth in popularity as domestics pets, lizards are being presented to veterinary surgeons in increasing numbers. They are a diverse group of animals and can often pose problems for vets who have seldom, or perhaps never, handled them.  

==Taxonomy==

==Taxonomy==

Reptiles are ectothermic vertebrates with scales or plates, right and left aortic arches, a partially divided heart and a single occipital condyle.  

Reptiles are [[Ectothermy|ectothermic]] vertebrates with scales or plates, right and left aortic arches, a partially divided heart and a single occipital condyle.  

* Lizards are a very large and widespread group of the reptilian order Squamata. The nearly 7200 species of lizards are the most diverse and speciose living clade of reptiles; of course this total includes the worm lizards and snakes (which are actually reduced-limbed or limbless lizards). However, because snakes are a monophyletic group arising from within a group of lizards, the taxon Serpentes and its definition delimit a monophyletic group. Herein, the term lizard represents our shared perception and excludes Serpentes and Amphisbaenia.  

* Lizards are a very large and widespread group of the reptilian order Squamata. The nearly 7200 species of lizards are the most diverse and speciose living clade of reptiles; of course this total includes the worm lizards and snakes (which are actually reduced-limbed or limbless lizards). However, because snakes are a monophyletic group arising from within a group of lizards, the taxon Serpentes and its definition delimit a monophyletic group. Herein, the term lizard represents our shared perception and excludes Serpentes and Amphisbaenia.  

Given the range of species, identification can be difficult. However, the most common lizards you are likely to see in practice can be viewed here.

Given the range of species, identification can be difficult. However, the most common lizards you are likely to see in practice can be viewed here.

[[Image:Lizard_id.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Lizards''' (TOP row from the left: skink, monitor, green iguana/ BOTTOM row from the left: bearded dragon, chameleon, green anole) (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Lizard_id.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Lizards''' (TOP row from the left: skink, monitor, green iguana/ BOTTOM row from the left: bearded dragon, chameleon, green anole) (Copyright © RVC)]]

*'''[[Green Iguana|Green Iguana]]'''

*'''[[Green Iguana|Green Iguana]]'''

''Iguana iguana''. The green iguana is the most common pet lizard and is found free-ranging in the tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico to Southern Brazil. This herbivorous lizard often suffers from [[Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease|metabolic bone disease]] in captivity due to inadequate [[Lizard Husbandry Requirements|husbandry]]. A suitable temperature range is 29-39°C.

''Iguana iguana''. The green iguana is the most common pet lizard and is found free-ranging in the tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico to Southern Brazil. This [[Lizard Feeding|herbivorous]] lizard often suffers from [[Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease|metabolic bone disease]] in captivity due to inadequate [[Lizard Husbandry Requirements|husbandry]]. A suitable temperature range is 29-39°C.

*'''[[Prehensile-tailed Skink|Skink]]'''

*'''[[Prehensile-tailed Skink|Skink]]'''

*'''[[Monitor|Monitor Lizard]]'''

*'''[[Monitor|Monitor Lizard]]'''

Monitor lizards are mostly large powerful predators or carrion eaters. The family includes the savannah monitor (varanus exanthematicus), Nile monitor (varanus niloticus) and the Komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis).

Monitor lizards are mostly large powerful predators or [[Lizard Feeding|carrion eaters]]. The family includes the savannah monitor (''Varanus exanthematicus''), Nile monitor (''Varanus niloticus'') and the Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis'').

*'''[[Green Anole|Green Anole]]'''  

*'''[[Green Anole|Green Anole]]'''  

*'''[[Chameleon|Chameleon]]'''  

*'''[[Chameleon|Chameleon]]'''  

Chameleons are considered among the more delicate of lizards. Anatomical differences from other lizards may include astonishingly long tongues, ability for colour change, oppositely opposable digits and prehensile tails. They are generally viviparous.

Chameleons are considered among the more delicate of lizards. Anatomical differences from other lizards may include astonishingly long tongues, ability for colour change, oppositely opposable digits and prehensile tails. They are generally [[Lizard Reproduction|viviparous]].

==References==

==References==