Lizards of the World

Bright and quick and fairly unconcerned by the presence of humans, lizards have always stayed in our good graces--unlike many of their fellow reptiles. Trace their complicated evolution (though lizards "look like miniature dinosaurs, their ancestral lineage isn't so simple), and the different families they've broken into: geckos, iguanas, and skinks. Examine the form and function of their anatomical structure, from their well-developed legs (the hind ones are longer and stronger) to their tails (which help them balance and climb) to their scales. Close-up shots, many in color, capture the details of the flying gecko's adhesive toe pads and webbed feet; the chameleon's coiled, prehensile tail; the iguana's dorsal crest; the gila monster's purplish tongue; and the Australian frilled lizard's neck ruff. You'll see them basking in the sun to regulate their temperatures, climbing on green forest leaves, hatching out of eggshells, and even shedding their skin. Other fascinating information covers breeding habits, protective mechanisms, and their behavior in captivity. 224 pages (65 in color), 79 b/w illus., 6 x 9 1/4.