Updated on January 29, 2023

Squamate reptiles, such as lizards, are widely distributed, with over 6,000 species found on every continent save Antarctica. That’s really cool, right? In contrast, lizards have also proven to be popular figures in the animation industry. So, without further ado, I present the following list of actual, non-cartoon lizard people.

1. CHAMELEON

One of the cutest, if not the cutest, Disney lizard characters ranks first on this list. Pascal, the small chameleon, is Rapunzel’s most dependable companion. The common belief is that chameleons can blend in with their environments by altering their appearance. This, however, is not the case. Chameleons are able to alter their appearance in response to a variety of stimuli, including their emotional state, the intensity of the surrounding light, the temperature, and even the humidity.

Likewise, each variety of chameleon will present a unique palette. Generally speaking, the more dominant and beautiful a male is, the brighter his colours will be, while less dominant and attractive males will have darker hues, such as browns and greys. If a woman is on the fence about a potential suitor, she may alter her hair colour or wear a different lipstick.

2. MONITOR LIZARDS

The next figure is a supplementary bad guy. Joanna is the name of the pet monitor lizard who lives with us. Although she appears naive at first glance, she is actually quite cunning, diabolical, and occasionally frightening. She enjoys tampering with eggs and frequently rearranges Miss McLeach’s egg carton.

The genus Varanus is home to the enormous monitor lizards. A total of 78 different monitor lizard species are spread across the continents of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Monitor lizards are typically found in humid environments including rainforests, coastal woods, and riverside settings. Monitor lizards are popular pets in several parts of the world, yet their aggressive behaviour makes them unsuitable for those without prior familiarity with reptiles. As a result of unchecked hunting, the pet trade, and habitat loss, monitor lizards have a precarious future despite not being an endangered species.

3. KOMODO DRAGONS

We’ll now add Bill, the lizard from Alice in Wonderland, to our roster. In the film, this brave tiny green creature is tasked with killing a monster that Alice has lived with her whole life.

Being cold-blooded, lizards’ internal temperatures can fluctuate rapidly in response to changes in their surroundings. Lizards can’t last long without exposure to daylight. This clarifies why lizards prefer warmer climates, such as those found in deserts and southern countries, and why they are completely absent from Antarctica, home to the world’s coldest temperatures. Reptiles can’t survive in the midday sun, though. This means that even in the desert, they can seek shelter from the sun’s rays during the hottest parts of the day.

4. FRILLED LIZARD

We’ll wrap up by discussing Frank from The Rescuers Down Under. He’s a cute little frilled lizard who is placed in a cage at some point in the film. Like any lizard who knows what happens to them when they die, his worst dread is being murdered and made into a pocketbook.

Frilled lizards are among the most attractive of their kind. Those hues are very stunning. A bright yellow mouth sits in the centre of its face, and a big, movable frill gathers around the base of the skull and chin. To any would-be predator, the large, vividly coloured frill and gaping mouth must be a rather frightening sight. When threatened, it may quickly run on two legs and leap into the nearest tree for cover. The frill is typically lighter and has a hint of orange or reddish brown, whereas the body can be a spectrum of browns and greys. Males typically outweigh girls and appear more muscular. Two long, canine-like teeth are present in the lower jaw, and they can deliver a painful bite.