Lizards are reptiles that can be found in almost every region of the world. Traditionally they are divided into four different suborders, iguana, gecko, skink and creeping. In addition, they are a suborder of scaled reptiles and differ, for example, from snakes which are also a subgroup of scaled reptiles by their fully developed limbs.
A special feature is the extremely useful skin of lizards which occurs in different forms. It can be very fine and thin as in geckos or thick and bumpy as in iguanas. The skin takes on many often vital functions. It prevents some lizard species from sinking into the sand and some even from sinking into the water such as the basilisk. In some cases tiny adhesive lamellae form on the underside of the feet like in geckos and anoles so that they can hang upside down from the ceiling without falling down. Since the skin does not grow with it, it has to be renewed every three to four weeks. This is done with the help of molting hairs which lift the old skin layer and create space for the new skin.
The sensory organs of the lizards are an exciting thing to learn about. The eyes are formed differently depending on the species. The pupils of nocturnal animals are often oval to slit-shaped while those of diurnal animals are more round. In addition, the size of the eyes also differs depending on the life form. Some lizards, such as the helmeted gecko, can distinguish colors at night long after we humans only see gray and black.
Another sensory organ is Jacobson’s organ which is for smelling. It is located on the roof of the mouth and transmits odor particles which are picked up from the air by the tip of the tongue and sent to the brain. This process of “sticking out the tongue” is called licking. Lizards also have a sense of taste which, like humans, is divided into sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Some gecko species have the ability to orient themselves using the earth’s magnetic field. This sense is also called magnetic sense and is mainly known in migratory birds.
The little animals are particularly popular with tourists, but also with the locals. Not only because they eat countless insects and other annoying little animals but also because they are just super cute with their big eyes and the strange noises they make.
The species-rich family of geckos has inhabited our earth for around 50 million years. They can be found in many different regions of the world but they are most commonly observed in the tropics. Costa Rica in particular offers a small paradise for geckos with its large and protected rainforests. Altogether they are divided into almost 1000 different species, nine of which live in Costa Rica. Coming from the scaled reptile family, geckos are small to medium-sized lizards that can grow to between .5 and 16 inches in size. The scales of many geckos, approx. 75%, are brown or gray in color because they are nocturnal, but there are also brightly colored ones which are often active during the day.
Geckos appear to stick to their subsoil allowing them to effortlessly climb up and down even smooth surfaces. Hanging upside down from the ceiling is also no problem for them. They owe this to billions of tiny hairs which are attracted to their subsoil. Other geckos hold on to their pads with tiny claws.
Geckos have light-sensitive eyes because they need to see well at night. In the case of one gecko species called the helmeted gecko it is known that it can recognize colors at night so it is the only vertebrate species that is known to have this so far. Nocturnal geckos, in contrast to the diurnal geckos, have slit-shaped pupils instead of round. The skin of the gecko does not grow with it either which is why the little animals have to shed their skin again and again. Like other lizards they can shed their tails when threatened which then simply grows back after a while. However, this is often a major problem for the gecko as they use their tails to store fat and nutrients.
The shy and extremely agile animals are relatively difficult to spot but there is a good chance in the evening and at night when they catch flies around a lamp on the wall. They can also be spotted basking in the sun from time to time because, like other reptiles, they cannot regulate their own body temperature. The gecko’s biggest enemies are birds and small predators such as raccoons, coatis, etc.
Like all lizards, geckos lay eggs in a burrow under the ground and then let the sun hatch them. Depending on the species, this can take two to six months.
There are eight different species of iguanas but the only species found in Costa Rica is the green iguana. Resembling small dragons the animals have powerful hind legs and a long tail that often accounts for more than half their body size. The largest animal ever measured was 8 feet long and weighed 23 pounds. However, green iguanas usually only reach a length of approximately 4 to 5 feet with the male animals being noticeably larger than the females. The hump below the eardrum is particularly noticeable in the males. The menacing crest on the back and a neck flap, the so-called flag, which the males raise when threatened are vaguely reminiscent of dinosaurs.
Although they’re called green iguanas, they’re not all green. Some are gray to orange-red in color which depends on their diet. Green iguanas are best seen in the Costa Rican rainforest or in humid savannah forests like high up in the trees near a body of water in Guanacaste. In case of danger, they can simply jump into the water and swim away because the animals are extremely good swimmers and divers. After that the animals always return because they are quite loyal to their location.
In general, they prefer tall trees with sunny and shady places, as well as high humidity. Since iguanas cannot regulate their body temperature independently and they need the warming rays of the sun to do this, there are often bloody fights for the best place in a tree. Green iguanas are strictly herbivores. They prefer to feed on young leaves and flowers.
To impress the females, they puff out their dewlap and bob their heads up and down. December and January is the green iguana mating season which is the dry season. When mating the males bite the females on the neck. After about three to four weeks the female lays the 30 to 45 eggs in a cave in the ground. Another eight weeks later the young hatch and are immediately independent.
Green iguanas can live up to 20 years but some fall prey to snakes, their biggest enemies. People used to catch animals for their meat, however, today green iguanas are strictly protected and are listed under the Washington Convention on the Protection of Species.
The plumed basilisk, also known as the Jesus Christ lizard, belongs to the reptiles and iguana family and are similar in shape to iguanas. They owe their first name to the small frontal lobe and the large occipital lobe. They have a skin crest supported by bone braces which run over his entire back and can be up to 2 inches high.
They can grow up to 28 inches long while the tail accounts for almost two-thirds of their length. The skin of the plumed basilisk shimmers emerald, dark, or bluish green. They are usually a little lighter in color on the belly and mottled white or yellow on the sides. The home of the plumed basilisk is Central America mainly Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica. Here they are found in tropical rainforests and wetlands up to 25 meters above sea level. Mainly you can find them in trees near bodies of water as they rarely stay on the ground.
Thanks to their long and sharp claws, as well as their powerful legs, Plumed Basilisks are perfect climbers and can move very quickly on the ground. They are also good swimmers and divers which often saves their lives when in danger. It is particularly unusual and impressive when the plumed basilisk prepares to jump into the water and instead of diving, runs across the water. This strange behavior gave him the name “Jesus Christ Lizard”. This is made possible by high speed and skin seams between the toes which offer the lizard a larger surface area. If you are lucky enough to experience such a performance live you will certainly not forget it because the relatively large animals are not expected to do such a thing.
The diurnal basilisks hide from snakes at night on thin branches above the water in order to be able to quickly dive to the bottom of the water in case of danger. Mating season is year-round for the plumed basilisk. After two animals have mated around 15 eggs develop in the mother’s abdomen which she deposits after about 40 to 45 days. After approximately 70 days the young animals hatch at about 5 inches tall. The warmer it is, the faster they develop. After about 5 weeks they molt for the first time and at about 2.5 years they are fully grown and sexually mature.
Plumed Basilisks have a varied diet. In addition to small animals such as insects, snails and fish they also eat plant food such as flowers or fruits. The plumed basilisk has a life expectancy of about 8 years but in captivity they can live much longer with good care.
Scaled reptiles, to which lizards belong, mate laterally by internal fertilization. Most lizard species lay eggs that are either parchment-like or calcified. Surprisingly, there are also quite a few lizards that reproduce by what is known as parthenogenesis or unisexually. The young are formed from unfertilized egg cells. After the lizards have laid their eggs they leave the nest and leave the young to fend for themselves. Depending on the temperature, some species of lizards then hatch into male or female animals. This phenomenon is mainly known from turtles or crocodiles. After hatching the little ones are already fully developed and independent.
Especially in Costa Rica you can discover an enormous number of different species of lizards. If you keep your eyes open you can discover them in all colors and variations. Whether small and green under a leaf, or orange at the top of the trees, these fascinating animals are hiding everywhere.
We are your contacts for a successful stay in Costa Rica and look forward to your inquiries: info@costaricainsider.com
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