Lizards are a successful and widespread group of reptiles, thriving in nearly every environment across the globe except Antarctica. With thousands of species, they exhibit diversity in size, appearance, and behavior. Their life cycles vary significantly, particularly in how their young enter the world and what they are called.
The Common Names for Baby Lizards
The most accurate term used by scientists for a lizard newly emerged from an egg is a “hatchling.” This name is shared with the young of other egg-laying reptiles, such as snakes and turtles. For species that give birth to live young, the preferred term is a “neonate,” which refers to a newborn animal.
In common usage, people often refer to any newly born or hatched lizard simply as a “baby lizard.” Once a lizard has grown past its initial vulnerable stage but has not yet reached full reproductive maturity, it is categorized as a “juvenile.” This designation is based purely on size and age, applying across all lizard species.
How Baby Lizards Are Born
Lizard birth follows two primary reproductive strategies: egg-laying (oviparity) and live birth (viviparity). The majority of lizard species reproduce through oviparity, involving the female depositing eggs externally, often in nests dug into soil, under rocks, or within rotting logs. Species like geckos, anoles, and many iguanas are oviparous, laying clutches that can range from a single egg to dozens. These eggs typically have leathery, porous shells that absorb moisture, allowing the embryo to grow during incubation.
A minority of lizards have evolved viviparity, or live birth, where the young develop internally within the mother’s body. This method is common in species inhabiting colder climates or high altitudes, as the female can regulate the embryo’s temperature by basking. In some viviparous lizards, the embryo develops using the yolk sac (ovoviviparity), where the egg hatches inside the mother before birth. Other species have developed a placenta-like structure, allowing for nutrient transfer directly from the mother to the developing young. About one-third of skink species are viviparous.
Immediate Survival and Independence
Upon hatching or being born, most baby lizards are immediately independent of their parents. The majority of lizard species exhibit no parental care after the eggs are laid or the young are born, meaning neonates must fend for themselves instantly. They emerge as miniature versions of the adults, equipped with the instincts necessary to hunt and avoid predators.
The young must begin foraging for small insects and other appropriate food sources right away. The first few weeks of life are fraught with danger, as the small size of the hatchlings makes them easy prey for birds, mammals, and even larger members of their own species. While most species abandon their young, a few notable exceptions exist, such as the female five-lined skink, which guards her clutch of eggs for about six weeks, turning them regularly to ensure proper development. In some skink species, juveniles may remain in the family territory for an extended period, which can offer a survival benefit by providing access to better resources or protection.