While many perceive lizards as silent creatures that communicate only through visual displays, numerous species actively produce a diverse array of sounds. Not all lizards are vocal, but a significant number use varied acoustic signals for different purposes, revealing a more complex auditory world than typically imagined.
Variety of Lizard Vocalizations
Lizards employ a surprising range of sounds for communication. One recognized sound is the hiss, a common defensive mechanism used by many species when threatened or startled. This forceful expulsion of air intimidates potential predators.
Beyond hisses, geckos stand out as particularly vocal lizards, utilizing a broad repertoire of sounds. Their chirps, for instance, often serve to define territory. Squeaks are another vocalization, sometimes used by geckos in social interactions or when feeling alarmed or threatened.
Young geckos emit high-pitched squeals or screams as a distress call when upset or captured. Some geckos also produce distinct clicking noises, which can indicate stress, annoyance, or a territorial claim. Certain species, like the Tokay gecko, are known for a loud “gecko, gecko” call, primarily used by males to attract mates.
Other lizard species also contribute to this acoustic diversity. Some skinks, for example, make soft barking sounds, particularly when eating or playing. These barks can also serve as a warning, sometimes accompanied by an aggressive posture. While less common than in geckos, some lizards even produce growling sounds, such as the Komodo dragon, often associated with a deeper vocal range.
Mechanisms of Sound Production
The methods by which lizards create sounds are varied, as most do not possess true vocal cords like mammals. A prevalent mechanism is the rapid expulsion of air. Lizards generate hisses by forcefully pushing air from their lungs across the glottis. This process involves a simple, direct airflow.
Some geckos, however, are unique among lizards in that they possess true vocal cords. These structures vibrate as air passes through them, similar to how human vocal cords function, allowing for more modulated sounds like chirps and barks.
Beyond these respiratory methods, lizards also produce sounds through physical actions. Some species create clicking noises by snapping their tongue against the roof of their mouth. Other non-vocal methods include stridulation, where lizards rub specific body parts, such as scales, together.
Some lizards use their environment to produce acoustic signals. Tail slapping, where a lizard repeatedly strikes its tail against a surface, creates thumping sounds for warning or territorial display. Similarly, foot thumping, rhythmic pounding of feet on the ground, can signal alarm or communicate.