Australian Lizards

Book excerpt: The extraordinary lives of lizards remain largely hidden from human eyes. Lizards feed, mate, lay eggs or give live birth, and carefully manage their temperatures. They struggle to survive in a complex world of predators and competitors. The nearly 700 named Australian species are divided into seven families: the dragons, monitors, skinks, flap-footed lizards and three families of geckos. Using a vast array of artful strategies, lizards have managed to find a home in virtually all terrestrial habitats. Australian Lizards: A Natural Historytakes the reader on a journey through the remarkable life of lizards. It explores the places in which they live and what they eat, shows how they make use of their senses and how they control their temperatures, how they reproduce and how they defend themselves. Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 color photographs, this book reveals behavioral aspects never before published, offering a fascinating glimpse into the unseen lives of these reptiles. It will appeal to a diverse readership, from those with a general interest in natural history to the seasoned herpetologist.