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|pagetype=Lizard Basics

|pagetype=Lizard Basics

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[[Image:Green_iguana.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Green iguana]]

[[Image:Green_iguana.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Green iguana (Iguana iguana)]]

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

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

[[Image:Skink.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Skink]]

[[Image:Skink.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Skink (Corucia zebrata)]]

[[Image:Monitor_lizard1.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Monitor lizard]]

[[Image:Monitor_lizard1.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Monitor lizard (Varanus spp)]]

[[Image:Green_anole.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Green anole]]

[[Image:Green_anole.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Green anole (Anolis carolinensis)]]

[[Image:Bearded_dragon.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Bearded Dragon]]

[[Image:Bearded_dragon.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)]]

[[Image:Chameleon.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Chameleon]]

[[Image:Chameleon.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Chameleon (Chamaeleo spp)]]

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.  

'''Skink'''

'''Skink'''

Corucia zebrata. The prehensile-tailed skink is a very large skink. They reach a maximum length of 80cm, half of which is composed of a fully prehensile tail. The dorsal surface has a grey/green background and is speckled black. The chin is yellow and the underside pale. They have become popular terrarium animals due to their easy husbandry, large size and unusual appearance.

The prehensile-tailed skink is a very large skink. They reach a maximum length of 80cm, half of which is composed of a fully prehensile tail. The dorsal surface has a grey/green background and is speckled black. The chin is yellow and the underside pale. They have become popular terrarium animals due to their easy husbandry, large size and unusual appearance.

'''Monitor Lizard'''

'''Monitor Lizard'''

Varanus spp. 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 carrion eaters. The family includes the savannah monitor (varanus exanthematicus), Nile monitor (varanus niloticus) and the Komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis).

'''Green Anole'''

'''Green Anole'''

Anolis carolinensis. Green anoles are diurnal and semi-arboreal. They are slender lizards with long tails (fragile and readily lost) and a pointed head. They will grow from hatchling (5 to 6cm) to small adult size in 6 to 8 months and, if maintained properly, have a typical lifespan of 3 to 6 years.

Green anoles are diurnal and semi-arboreal. They are slender lizards with long tails (fragile and readily lost) and a pointed head. They will grow from hatchling (5 to 6cm) to small adult size in 6 to 8 months and, if maintained properly, have a typical lifespan of 3 to 6 years.

'''Bearded Dragon'''

'''Bearded Dragon'''

Pogona vitticeps. This lizard is diurnal. Adults grow to 50 cm and have a blunt arrow-shaped head. Scales along the skin of the throat and the side of the head and body have specialized into spiny points.

This lizard is diurnal. Adults grow to 50 cm and have a blunt arrow-shaped head. Scales along the skin of the throat and the side of the head and body have specialized into spiny points.

'''Chameleon'''

'''Chameleon'''

Chamaeleo spp. 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 viviparous.