08/14/2026
🦎🎉 HAPPY NATIONAL LIZARD DAY!!! 🎉🦎
Did you know there are more than 7,000 known species of lizards found around the world?! 🌎🦎 From tiny geckos to giant monitors, lizards come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and personalities!
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on some of our scaly superstars! 💚
🌊🦎 Asian Water Monitor - Gamble
These impressive reptiles are excellent swimmers and spend plenty of time around rivers, wetlands, and other waterways! They have powerful tails that help propel them through the water and can hold their breath for surprisingly long periods. They’re also excellent climbers and have sharp claws that help them navigate trees and escape danger!
🦎 Bearded Dragons- Sage & Silas
Bearded dragons get their name from the spiky scales under their chin, which they can puff out when they feel threatened or want to show off! 😎 They’re native to Australia and are omnivores, meaning they enjoy both plant matter and insects. And when they’re basking, you may see them open their mouths wide—that’s called gaping and helps them regulate their body temperature!
🌿🦎 Iguanas- Zuko & Ozai
Iguanas are incredible climbers and spend a lot of their time up in trees! 🌳 Many iguanas are primarily herbivores, munching on leaves, flowers, and fruits. They also have a third eye—called a parietal eye—on top of their head that can detect changes in light! 👀 They may not see the world exactly like we do, but that little extra sensory organ is pretty amazing!
And here’s one more cool fact… 🦎💥
Many lizards have a tail-defense trick! Some species can detach their tails when grabbed by a predator, giving them a chance to escape. Talk about leaving someone behind! 😂
💚🦎 Come celebrate National Lizard Day with us at Hillcrest Park Zoo! Come visit our scaly friends and see these incredible reptiles up close!
🌿 There’s always something fascinating to discover at the zoo!
