Lizard Fun for Kids

Lizards are cool reptiles with scaly skin that live almost all over our planet. Many lizards are small and can climb trees or scurry on the ground to look for yummy bugs. Some lizards can even change color, lose their tails to escape danger, or make soft chirps! Kids love watching lizards move their skinny bodies and wagging tails.

Watch a Lizard in Action!

See a friendly kid‑safe video of lizards exploring, hunting, and climbing in their habitat.

What Is a Lizard?

Lizards are reptiles with dry, scaly skin and often long tails. Here are some cool things about them:

• Most have four legs, but some look like snakes because they don’t have any legs at all.
• They are cold‑blooded, which means they need sunshine to warm up their bodies.
• Many can lose their tail to escape a predator and regrow it later.
• Some can change color to hide from enemies or talk to other lizards.

Where Do Lizards Live?

Lizards can be found all over the world except in really cold places. Kids might see them:

• In deserts, forests, grasslands, and even near homes in warm places.
• On rocks, in trees, under logs, or in small holes in the ground.

What Do Lizards Eat?

Most lizards love to eat:

• Insects like crickets, flies, ants, and beetles.
• Some kinds eat plants and fruit, like iguanas.
• Bigger lizards like Komodo dragons even eat small animals or eggs.

How Big Is a Lizard?

Lizards come in all sizes!

• Some are as tiny as a paperclip, about 2 cm long – that’s like your small crayon.
• Others, such as iguanas, can grow as long as a school ruler – about 30 cm (12 in).
• The biggest, like Komodo dragons, can reach around 3 m (10 ft) – longer than a grown-up! But those are rare.

What Sound Do Lizards Make?

Most lizards are quiet, but some can chirp, click, hiss, or squeak, especially geckos. They use these sounds to talk to each other or to say “Go away!” when they feel scared. 

Cool Lizard Facts

• Lizards have been on Earth for more than 200 million years.
• Chameleons, a type of lizard, can change color to hide, show their mood, or talk.
• Some lizards, like geckos, can climb walls and even ceilings!
• Lizards shed their skin as they grow, just like snakes do.
• Many lizards lay eggs, but some give birth to live babies.
• A lizard’s tail can wiggle on its own to distract a predator.
• Some lizards have tiny horns or crests on their heads or backs.
• Bigger lizards, like monitors, can be as heavy as a big dog!
• Most lizards need very little water to live, especially desert ones.

Printables and Coloring Fun

Download and play with fun lizard activities:

• Download Lizard Coloring Page (PDF)

Lizards in the Eco‑System

Lizards help nature and people in different ways:

• They eat insects, which helps gardens stay free of pests.
• They are food for bigger animals like birds, snakes, and foxes.
• There are more than 3,000 species of lizards, but some are in danger because of habitat loss.
• Conserving forests, deserts, and parks helps protect their homes and keep their populations healthy.

Ask a Grown‑Up to Help You Learn More

Here are some great websites with more fun facts about lizards:

• Britannica Kids: Lizard
• Kidzovo: Lizard Facts
• Twinkl: Lizard Facts for Kids

Fun Questions About Lizards

Ways to Donate and Support Lizards

You can help protect lizards by supporting wildlife and habitat conservation. When forests, deserts, and grasslands are kept safe and healthy, lizards have places to live and grow strong.

Donate | National Centre For Reptile Welfare Ncrw | England