There are more than 2000 kinds of lizards throughout the world, mostly in deserts, but sometimes in swamps, meadows, forests and even houses and other buildings. Most of them are harmless and a great help to mankind by eating innumerable insects that destroy crops. In earlier issues we considered some of them and will now look at a few more.
Among the interesting ones are 13 varieties of the whiptail lizard, having tails which are half again as long as their bodies and which they use in running over the sand. The males are dark brown, decorated with narrow gold stripes.
Another one is the barking gecko which in the hottest part of the day burrows into the sand to escape the heat of the African desert. Its home area has just enough rainfall to permit a small amount of plant life to grow, but most of the time this is not available. However, the barking gecko gets along very well on seeds and scraps of plants and other food blown about by desert winds. The Creator has given it pad-like feet, enabling it to scoot easily across the dry sand chasing this food.
As mentioned, there is rarely any water where this little animal lives, and this brings to light another example of the Creator’s care of His creatures. When a foggy night comes our little friend goes out to enjoy it, because all over its specially designed skin the fog condenses into drops of water. The gecko licks these up and in this way it gets all the water it needs.
An unusual lizard is the 12-inch anole, which has skin like extra-coarse sandpaper and a flat head with a large mouth that gives it a smiling look. An opening in the side of its body takes the place of an ear. The slender male is green or brown, with a patch of brilliantly colored skin that puffs out from its neck to attract a mate or scare a challenger. While doing this it spreads its front feet, than bobs its body up and down in a peculiar manner. The female lays her eggs on the sand, covers them lightly and lets the sun hatch them out. She does not need to raise or train them, as the Creator has given them instincts that enable them to be on their own immediately.
When we consider God’s kind ways toward even these little animals, it causes us to think how much more kind and loving are His ways to those who love Him. Perhaps you have memorized the 23rd Psalm which opens with, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want,” and closes with, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Have you thanked Him for His kindness and love to you?
ML-12/21/1986