Where do lizards live around the world?

Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles found globally, inhabiting environments ranging from underground burrows and desert sands to elevated vegetation and tropical forests. While they are most abundant in tropical and temperate regions—with the highest species diversity occurring between 30° N and 30° S latitude—some species have adapted to extreme conditions.123

Key aspects of their global distribution include:

• High Latitudes: A few species, such as the viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivipara), are remarkably hardy, with populations reaching as far north as the Arctic Circle.42
• Diverse Habitats: Lizards occupy varied niches, including deserts, grasslands, and forests. Some are partially aquatic, living in freshwater environments, though only one extant species, the marine iguana, is known to forage in the sea.21
• Island Colonization: Lizards are frequent inhabitants of oceanic islands, often arriving via rafting on floating vegetation.3
• Human Environments: Certain small species, such as geckos, have successfully colonized towns and buildings worldwide by traveling with humans.1

Their ability to thrive in these diverse locations is largely due to their efficient use of water and their capacity to regulate body temperature through thermoregulation.132