Lizard Taste and Smell

The taste buds are poorly developed and are mainly found in the pharynx, tongue and oral epithelium (beneath and lateral to the tongue). They are more abundant in species belonging to the Iguanidae family and absent in Varanus indicus (Mangrove monitor - Varanidae family).

Protusion of the tongue is primarily for bringing scent particles to the Jacobson's organ for olfaction.

However, due to insufficient data, it is difficult to distinguish between taste and vomeronasal function when studying chemosensory-mediated behaviour in lizards.