- HubPages»
- Pets and Animals»
- Reptiles & Amphibians
What Do You Know About Lizards?
Lizard Phobia
Yesterday while in church, we were prompted by one of the pastors to greet our neighbours, so I turned around to the person behind me and shook her hands and expressed greetings. Immediately I noticed that she froze. She started saying something and pulled her hand away. I was flabbergasted that someone could be so impolite, but I said nothing at that time. I just sat there steaming. My son who was sitting next to me asked "Are you ok mom?" I smiled faintly and said "Not sure son, but I'm about to find out."
I turned to the woman who was so rude, I was in church so I had to be discreet. I didn't want to cause an uproar in church; it is a place of worship and so I must be respectful. I beckoned to her and in a low whisper asked "Is something wrong?"
She whispered, "I'm afraid of lizards."
Immediately I understood. I was wearing a diamond and gold gecko brooch on my jacket.
"But it is a beautiful lizard" I whispered lamely to her.
Maybe I should have removed it since it was offensive to her, but I did not. I like my lizard. I suppose while her phobia is valid, she could have shown some restraint and not acted so rude. As a matter of fact, I have a fear of snakes, but would not refrain from shaking someone's hand because they were wearing a necklace with a cobra on it.
This incident got me thinking about what the lizard represent. I have done some research online and made the following discoveries about lizards:
Lizards are reptiles, which means they are cold-blooded, lay eggs, and covered by scales instead of feathers or fur. Different types of lizards might live in trees, underground, on the banks of rivers, or in the desert. Some varieties eat insects, others fruit, and still others prey on small mamals. They come in all colors and sizes, equipped with innovative methods of defense, reproduction, and predation. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-lizards.htm
Some types of lizards: Geckos are lizards in the family Gekkonidae. There are over 300 known species of geckos found distributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Seen in televisoin commercials for Insurance Company and telecommunication companies.
Skinks are a lesser-known type of lizard. They are often mistaken for a kind of snake because they have tiny, smooth scales on a long, cylindrical body.
Iguanas are a popular type of lizard because they make friendly pets. In the wild, some species of iguana can grow quite large while they roam through arid and temperate climates. They're entirely vegetarian, snacking on leaves and sweet fruits. Green varieties stay up in trees while brown iguanas stick to the ground, digging burrow. An acquaintance had a pet iguana.
Gila monsters live predominantly in the Southwestern United States where they burrow under the hot desert ground. Their bright colors warn other animals that they are venomous.
The Collared Lizards can change colors in seconds to match their surroundings, like the Chameleon.
A Flying Dragon Lizard avoids danger by opening two large, winglike flaps of skin and gliding from tree to tree. The lizard steers with its tail.
Go to http://www.factzoo.com/reptiles/types-of-lizards.html to discover other types of lizards.
We have seen the television commercials with lizards. They are so cute and beautifully coloured. Have you seen this one?
Comments
Sooo interesting. We have the ones that change color to their surroundings here.
- Author
I can't say that I am a big fan of lizards, but I've discovered that they are interesting reptiles. Whenever I visit the tropics, they are everywhere. They are pretty harmless and mysterious.
Thanks GiftedGrandma for visiting...
I don't know that I would be scared of a metal sculpture of a lizard, but ever since I broke the tail off the lizard of the boy I was 'going with' in the 4th grade, I haven't been able to handle the real thing. Of course having an iguana jump on my head from the ledge above the door at a friend's house a few years later didn't help THAT at all!
But I'm with you. Better a lizard than a snake.
- Author
Hi Laughing Mom, thanks for your comment. Wow, you had a boyfriend in the 4th grade? The rest of us girls pretended that we were scared of boys... I've only recently discovered that lizard can survive without a tail, so you didn't do much damage. I was not scared of the gecko as they were fairly common when I was a child. My brothers were always putting them down our backs to scare us.
Now the iguana incident sounds scary. I knew someone with one and I made sure that I didn't get too close. I admired from a far.
If I had a choice between a lizard or a snake, guess which one I'd choose?
Thanks for dropping by...
I wouldn't say a 'boyfriend'. Didn't you guys 'go with' boys, which basically just meant you weren't scared to sit by each other at the lunchtable?
- Author
My little friends did not want to sit with boys. Me on the other hand didn't care because I have three brothers and many male cousins, but peer pressure was on. That's why I said "pretend that we were scared of boys"
One day in grade five, my teacher made me sit with a boy and some mean girls started saying he was my boyfriend. He was cute anyway, so I didn't mind. I guess they were jealous.
Ahh, the old days.....
- Author
indeed!
Maybe you should write another hub about that!!!
- Author
You know, I just will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'll keep my eyes open for it. I'm sure it'll be great!
Oh, this reminds me of 7th grade when one of the cutest boys in class used to pass me Jim Morrison lyrics during math class. Ah, here's to Tom and Jim, "the Lizard King." :-) Good times.
C. S. Lewis wrote a famous story about a lizard
- Author
James, thanks for dropping by. I'll look it up. I'm finding out that lizards aren't so bad.
- Author
Dink96, lizards rule! Thanks for dropping by. Have you seen this cute guy since then? I met up with a cute guy from grade 5 guy who turned out not to be so cute afterall. He has spolied the image I had of him, too bad!
Nah, but he was a nice Italian boy in my Catholic school. His family moved out of state after grade school, so who knows? Hah! At my age, nothing's holding up as well as it once did! Rock on, my friend!
- Author
Dink96, the memory is great, that's what matters. Somethings/persons are better kept as memories.
Great hub on lizards. Amazing varieties of lizards. Glad you liked my hub on Komodo dragons.
Did you see Andrew Zimmerman eating Iguana eggs on travel channel? yewwww...
- Author
I wonder if they taste like chicken eggs? I hope it didn't make him sick...
He eats everything.... even he was disgusted by it... he stopped after one. :-)
She was a rude considering that it was only a brooch, in fact there is something deep in her mind to believe that it would come and get her. I am not a snake person either, and I love the talking Gecko commercial. Keep on wearing your pin as they can be cute. :)
My brother use to catch them and pull their tail off and then put them in a box with a bunch of ants and spiders.
- Author
AEvans, good to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words. Even though I can understand her fear of lizards, I felt embarrassed, I guess its the rejection effect. I felt like I did something wrong. If it was a Komodo, then perhaps I would have removed it. The geckos are cute.
Now I feel self-conscious to wear my pin, but I will. Thanks for your support.
- Author
Thanks for stopping by goldentoad. Your brother sounds like mine. I have three brothers and they would pull off the tail as well. They also chased us, girls with them and when we weren't looking, thy'd drop one down our back.
It is the scariest feeling to have a lizard dropped down your clothes. I shiver just remembering it. We had all different colors gecko and I was not afraid of them, but didn't want them crawling down my spine.
Great memory eh!
Does anyone remember back in the sixties you could buy live lizards with a pin in them and attach them to your shirt and have a wiggly pin. I remember these at roadside souvenir shops in Florida. My mother would never let my brother or me get one.
- Author
Marilyn that sounds cruel that anyone would put pins in lizards. I know that I wouldn't wear one - too creepy, but who am I to judge- I wear a gold lizard broach! LOL!
Beautiful pictures, especially the draco lizard.
- Author
ReptileRevolution, thanks for your visit and comment. Nature is so beautiful. although I'm not sure that I want to encounter one in a closed room. Is there such a thing as taming a dragon lizzard?! Lol!
Great article.
- Author
MarkMAllen, thanks for your visit and your comment.
I agree with AEvans, that lady really had no reason to comment about your broach. Just because she's scared of the real things doesn't mean she has to knock your jewellery!
Personally, I think lizards are cute. :/
-Ashley @ http://www.lizardfacts.net
- Author
Ashley, I think lizzards are cute, but I understand her fear. She probably have a phobia of lizards; so I do not take her reaction personally.
I'll check out the link.
Thanks
Ha, ha, Lourdes of the Lizards...How about Lords of the Lourdes?Hey Chanson...I've been lurking for a while now, but I'd like to say hello. To quote Stephen in 'Nacho Libre', "I don't beleive in God...I beleive in science!" I'm living in London and am seriously DAMU (atheist in a family of converted TBM) - have been for 18 years. I'm enjoying your online novel - well done.
33