World Lizard Day

World Lizard Day History

World Lizard Day is celebrated to promote the conservation of various lizard species and their habitats. It is also observed to educate people about the importance of lizards in the ecosystem. The idea of World Lizard Day was first proposed by Martin Scuffins, who is a keen lizard lover and conservationist. Martin wanted to dedicate a day to celebrate and honor lizards, which are often misunderstood and overlooked. The day was officially recognized in Australia in 2013, and since then, it has gained popularity worldwide.

Lizards are an integral part of the Australian ecosystem, with over 800 species found in the country. However, many lizard species are under threat due to habitat destruction, persecution, and the illegal wildlife trade. World Lizard Day seeks to raise awareness about their plight and encourage people to take action to protect them.

On World Lizard Day, various events are held across the country, including lizard spotting walks, educational talks, and reptile shows. The day is also an opportunity for people to learn more about the importance of lizards and how they contribute to the delicate balance of the ecosystem. World Lizard Day is observed annually on August 14th.

World Lizard Day facts

• Lizards have a long history on earth - the earliest known fossil records date back over 200 million years, meaning they survived the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs.
• Lizards are capable of communicating through body language, bright colours, pheromones, and even doing push-ups to assert dominance.
• Many lizards can disconnect their tails when pursued by a predator. This process is called 'autotomy'. They can then regenerate a new tail.
• The smallest lizard in Australia is the Short-tailed Pygmy Monitor (Varanus brevicauda), which can grow up to only 10 centimeters in length.
• The largest monitor lizard in Australia is the Perentie (Varanus giganteus), which can grow up to 2 meters in length.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Lizard Day

Top things to do in Australia for World Lizard Day

• Visit your local zoo. See animals from different regions and be sure to catch the reptiles and lizards.
• Visit a reptile shop and find a scaly friend to take home. Reptile shops are similar to pet shops but they cater specifically to reptiles and lizards. Find a species that interests you and ask how to properly care for it.
• Watch Australia's Deadly Monsters: Giant Lizards (2016). This episode of the documentary series Australia's Deadly Monsters focuses on the reptiles that call Australia home, specifically the massive monitor lizards.
• Plan a trip to the Kakadu National Park. This park in the Northern Territory is home to numerous species of lizards, including frilled-neck lizards, sand goannas, and spiny-tailed monitors.