World Lizard Day

World Lizard Day History

World Lizard Day is an observance dedicated to raising awareness about the diverse species of lizards found across our planet. These creatures are an essential part of various ecosystems, contributing to the balance of nature as both predators and prey. The day aims to engage individuals, educational institutions, and lizard lovers to appreciate their beauty while supporting conservation and protection efforts to ensure the survival of these remarkable reptiles.

The most common species found in the UK are the viviparous lizard and the sand lizard – the latter being a protected species due to its diminishing population and habitat loss. The UK plays an important role in international reptile conservation and research, making this day ideally suited to raise awareness for these endeavours and support the valuable work being carried out by reptile experts and enthusiasts.

To observe World Lizard Day in the United Kingdom, various activities and initiatives are organised by nature enthusiasts, wildlife parks, zoos, and educational institutions. These events may include guided walks, informative exhibits, educational workshops, and online discussions, all of which aim to provide a platform for people in the UK to learn about and appreciate these magnificent creatures. World Lizard Day occurs annually on August 14th, allowing for continued growth of awareness and support for these reptiles and their conservation.

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.
• Fossil remains of ancient lizards found in the UK date back to the Mesozoic Era around 145 million years ago.
• The slow worm, although resembling a snake, has eyelids and can blink, a feature typical of lizards. They also have the ability to shed their tails when threatened by predators – a process known as autotomy.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Lizard Day

Top things to do in the UK 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 Wild Britain: Reptiles and Amphibians (2020). This episode of the Wild Britain series features the secretive lives of reptiles and amphibians native to the UK, including the slow worm, sand lizard, and common lizard.
• Plan a trip to St Martin's Island in the Isles of Scilly. This is one of the few places in the UK where you can spot the rare and stunningly beautiful green lizard.