Whether they’re sprinting across the desert or relaxing in a terrarium in your home, lizards can certainly add a burst of color to your life. But if you’re like most people, you may not know the breathtaking variety of lizards the planet has to offer. We’ve put together a collection of over 50 of the more memorable ones.
Here’s our list of the world’s most colorful lizards:
1. Spider-Man Agama
- Latin name: Agama mwanzae
- Habitat: Semi-desert areas of Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania
- Size: About 6-9 inches long
- Diet: Almost entirely insects
- Colorful feature: The males have blue legs and lower bodies and bright red upper bodies, making them look like Spider-Man.
This striking lizard, also called the Mwanza flat-headed rock agama, is one of the most spectacularly colored members of the agama family. Just like with many other agama species, female Spider-Man agamas are a dull brownish color. Though you don’t hear too much about agamas being in the pet trade, the Spider-Man agama has become somewhat popular thanks to its beautiful and unique coloring.
2. Fire Skink
- Latin name: Mochlus fernandi
- Habitat: Tropical forests in West Africa
- Size: Up to 15 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These skinks generally have brownish upper bodies, but both sexes have fiery red bellies.
The fire skink is one of the most colorful members of the skink family. And thanks to its bright coloring, it’s a popular pet. Fire skinks are shy and quiet in the wild, but with careful and patient handling, they can get used to people. When in captivity, these lizards can live up to 20 years!
3. Green Keel-Bellied Lizard
- Latin name: Gastropholis prasina
- Habitat: Coastal plains of Tanzania and Kenya
- Size: Up to almost 16 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These lizards are a brilliant, glossy emerald green, and many have patches of turquoise around the legs.
This lizard gets its name from the fact that the yellow-green scales on its belly are keeled. That means that each belly scale has a ridge down the center. The green keel-bellied lizard has a tail that is capable of grasping things; it’s not unusual to see them asleep in trees while using their tails to support themselves.
4. Blue-Spotted Tree Monitor
- Latin name: Varanus macraei
- Habitat: Tropical forests on the island of Batanta in Indonesia
- Size: Up to 3.5 feet long
- Diet: Mostly various types of insects, although it does sometimes eat smaller lizards, eggs, and berries
- Colorful feature: Though they appear all blue from a distance, these tree monitors are actually black with some blue scales.
These endangered lizards are some of the brightest in the monitor family. They are also some of the largest. Though their natural range is small and the species is endangered, there is hope for the blue-spotted tree monitor. It has begun to be successfully bred in captivity by reptile experts and zoos.
5. Chinese Water Dragon
- Latin name: Physignathus cocincinus
- Habitat: Forested areas of China and the southeastern portion of Asia
- Size: Up to 3.3 feet long
- Diet: Mostly insects, although they do also eat vegetation and sometimes even reptiles and birds
- Colorful feature: These lizards are normally different shades of green. In many cases, they are a bright leaf-green with paler yellow or whitish bellies. Rarely, you may see one in purple with an orangish belly.
Contrary to its name, the Chinese water dragon spends most of its time in the trees. But the water serves as useful shelter when it’s needed; a threatened water dragon can leap into the water and stay submerged for up to 90 minutes on end. Though this species is classified as being vulnerable to extinction, it remains a fairly popular pet.
6. Blue Crested Lizard
- Latin name: Calotes mystaceus
- Habitat: Mostly forested areas of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and China
- Size: Up to 16.5 inches
- Diet: Different types of insects
- Colorful feature: Much of the body of this lizard is a pale brown, but the head and parts of the upper body are bright turquoise. The head is marked by a bright white band under the eye.
This beautiful reptile is sometimes called the blue crested lizard; its distinctive spiky crest starts at the base of the neck and extends partway down the back. It lives in forested parts of Asia, but it can sometimes even be found in city gardens, provided there are trees.
7. Leopard Gecko
- Latin name: Eublepharis macularius
- Habitat: Deserts and other dry areas in India, Nepal, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
- Size: About 7-11 inches long
- Diet: Mostly invertebrates
- Colorful feature: The natural coloration of the leopard gecko is fairly eye-catching as it is. But as one of the world’s most popular pet reptiles, it has been developed into countless striking morphs.
The leopard gecko may well be the most popular pet reptile; some experts have even asserted that it is the world’s first domesticated lizard. The wild coloration is somewhat pale, but the many dark spots add some visual interest. Nonetheless, gecko breeders have selectively bred for brilliant colors and unique markings.
8. Caiman Lizard
- Latin name: Dracaena guianensis
- Habitat: Swamps and flooded forests in parts of South America
- Size: Up to 4 feet long
- Diet: These lizards prefer snails, but they also eat crabs, amphibians, fish, crustaceans, and various aquatic creatures
- Colorful feature: These lizards usually have a reddish head and a green body. In many cases, there is a patch of yellow between the red and green areas.
These striking, water-loving lizards are built to swim and dive. They have long tails that make them efficient swimmers, and they also have a third eyelid that helps them see clearly underwater. Though they can be kept as pets, they are a significant investment; they require very large enclosures, prefer a fairly expensive diet of snails, and have a fairly high purchase price.
9. Common Collared Lizard
- Latin name: Crotaphytus collaris
- Habitat: Dry, open areas of south-central United States and Mexico
- Size: Up to 15 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects, but they do also eat smaller lizards
- Colorful feature: Males of this species tend to very bright; they have turquoise bodies with yellow markings and also usually have orange throats. Both sexes have two black collar-like bands on the neck.
The collared lizard is Oklahoma’s state reptile. In Oklahoma, it’s often called the “mountain boomer.” It’s an unusual nickname, especially considering the fact that these lizards are silent. Nobody knows exactly how they got the name, but some have suggested that early settlers heard the sound of wind in caverns and thought the lizards made the sound.
10. Green Thornytail Iguana
- Latin name: Uracentron azureum
- Habitat: Trees in the Amazon rainforest as well as forested areas of the Guiana Shield
- Size: Around 5-6 inches long
- Diet: Mostly ants
- Colorful feature: These lizards have a bright green base color, and their bodies are marked with deep black bands and spots. The striking contrast sets them apart from many other lizards.
These unusual, little forest-dwelling lizards don’t look like what most of us picture when we think of an iguana. Their tails are especially interesting; they are spiny and colored with green, yellow, and blue.
11. Emerald Tree Monitor
- Latin name: Varanus prasinus
- Habitat: Lowland areas of New Guinea and nearby areas
- Size: Up to 39 inches long
- Diet: Mostly different types of insects, but it can also eat birds and smaller mammals
- Colorful feature: These lizards are primarily a leaf-colored green, but some individuals may have a color that’s closer to turquoise. Multicolored banding across the back adds some more visual interest.
Many monitor lizards have somewhat dull coloring, but the brilliant green of the emerald tree monitor makes it an especially sought-after choice for both reptile collectors and zoos. It’s remarkable among monitors in that it’s fairly social; most monitor species are solitary in the wild, but this one prefers to travel in small groups.
12. Southeastern Five-Lined Skink
- Latin name: Plestiodon inexpectatus
- Habitat: Usually in wooded areas of the southeastern U.S.
- Size: Usually between 5-8 inches
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: Young skinks have very bright blue tails, and their five pale lines stand out against their primarily black skin. As they age, the five light lines become more apparent. They are usually yellowish, but some have hints of red as well.
If you’ve spent any time at all in the southeastern United States, you’ve almost certainly seen a southeastern five-lined skink or two. These hardy, small lizards can tolerate a wide variety of environments; though they prefer wooded areas, they’re often found on small islands with few or no trees.
13. Common Butterfly Lizard
- Latin name: Leiolepis belliana
- Habitat: Forested parts of Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia
- Size: About 16 inches long
- Diet: Insects, butterflies, larvae, crabs, and various types of plant matter
- Colorful feature: From a distance, these lizards may look dull in color. But their brownish backs are covered in yellow spots, while their sides are lined in eye-catching black and orange.
Just like a butterfly, the common butterfly lizard has some truly beautiful patterns. Some individuals look a bit more colorful than others. Though it is native to Asia, it has become a thriving invasive species in Miami. The first common butterfly lizards introduced to the wild in Florida came from an aquarium fish dealer.
14. Mount Hanang Dwarf Chameleon
- Latin name: Trioceros hanangensis
- Habitat: These lizards live in the high altitudes of Mt. Hanang in Tanzania
- Size: Around 5 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These lizards have bright, mostly green bodies, but their heads are a magnificent turquoise blue.
These stunning little chameleons don’t have the same natural range as some better-known species. Despite their beauty, they are uncommon in the pet trade. Nonetheless, there are a few chameleon experts who specialize in the Mount Hanang dwarf chameleon, and one found that high UVB exposure is necessary for these lizards to maintain their very bright colors.
15. Peninsular Rock Agama
- Latin name: Psammophilus dorsalis
- Habitat: Usually in hilly areas of southern India
- Size: Up to about 8 inches long
- Diet: Primarily insects
- Colorful feature: Males of this species have nearly all-black bodies, but their heads and a portion of their backs are bright red to pale orange. In some cases, the upperpart becomes yellow instead.
Agamas are certainly one of the more colorful lizard families, and the peninsular rock agama has an unusual color; males have bright red, orange, or yellow heads during the breeding season. Despite their eye-catching looks, though, these lizards don’t really seem to be found in the pet trade.
16. Electric Blue Gecko
- Latin name: Lygodactylus williamsi
- Habitat: These lizards live in trees in the foothills of Tanzania’s Uluguru Mountains
- Size: Up to about 3.5 inches
- Diet: Nectar and small insects
- Colorful feature: Both sexes have bright orange undersides. Males are often a brilliant electric blue, although they can sometimes appear black or gray. Females can appear brownish or blue-green.
These stunning blue geckos don’t quite look real. But thanks to their stunning colors, they are a prime target for collectors for the illegal pet trade. Electric blue geckos (also called William’s dwarf geckos) are critically endangered, and breeding them in captivity usually is somewhat difficult. Some areas have even established stud books and registries to help track the captive population more accurately.
17. Emerald Tree Skink
- Latin name: Lamprolepis smaragdina
- Habitat: Forested areas of Taiwan, Palawan, New Guinea, the Philippines, the Indo-Australian archipelago, and the Santa Cruz and Solomon Islands
- Size: Up to about 10 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects, although it sometimes will eat other animals or plant material
- Colorful feature: These lizards are a sleek, shiny green. Some are pale lime green while others are a deep emerald color.
These skinks are somewhat hard to find in the wild and not too common in the pet trade. However, they are quickly becoming more popular as pets. They are very active, but they do tend to squirm when handled. In the wild, emerald tree skinks can be very entertaining to watch; they will occasionally gang up on larger predators.
18. Yellow-Headed Gecko
- Latin name: Gonatodes albogularis
- Habitat: Dry forested areas in Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Curacao, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman Island
- Size: Up to almost 4 inches long
- Diet: Primarily insects
- Colorful feature: Males of the species have dark blue-gray bodies with bright yellowish-orange heads. They also have a patch of bright blue on the side of the face.
These unique-looking lizards differ from most geckos in a major way; they have claws instead of sticky feet. It also was somewhat infamous in the Antilles. At one point, there was a serious superstition that said once a yellow-headed lizard touched you, it would become near-impossible to remove.
19. Rainbow Whiptail
- Latin name: Cnemidophorus lemniscatus
- Habitat: Forests and rocky areas in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America
- Size: About 12 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: Males of this species are incredibly bright, and their bodies typically are marked with turquoise, green, yellow, and bright blue.
These slender, stunning lizards can be found hiding in rock crevices or digging around in piles of leaves. As members of the whiptail family, their tails are incredibly long and powerful. They also can reproduce sexually or via parthenogenesis (where no sperm is needed).
20. Leopard Anole
- Latin name: Anolis marmoratus
- Habitat: The islands of Guadaloupe
- Size: About 6 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: Exact coloration varies by subspecies, but many of these lizards have bright blue-to-green bodies with dark, giraffe-like spots.
The anole world is a lot bigger than just the brown and green anoles you’ve likely seen. This striking species is native to the Guadaloupe Islands and comes in several subspecies, although there is enough interbreeding among the subspecies for experts to question whether or not they are legitimate.
21. Bluetailed Sandveld Lizard
- Latin name: Nucras caesicaudata
- Habitat: The sandveld (a sandy savanna region) in parts of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe
- Size: About five inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: This lizard looks a bit like a five-lined skink; it has a dark body with yellowish stripes and a bright blue tail.
If you see one of these lizards in person, consider yourself lucky. They are very rarely seen, but their very bright blue tails set them apart from other lizards in the same region. They look a lot like the southeastern blue-tailed skink and similar species.
22. Filfola Lizard
- Latin name: Podarcis filfolensis ssp. filfolensis
- Habitat: Rocky, scrubby areas on the island of Filfla near Malta
- Size: Up to 11 inches long
- Diet: Usually smaller insects
- Colorful feature: This subspecies of the Filfola lizard is black with spots that are blue, green, or both.
The lizard species known as the Filfola lizard is found in many Mediterranean areas, and this spotted subspecies is one of the most striking. It’s also one of the larger subspecies. The Filfola lizard is not endangered or threatened. Despite its beautiful coloration, it does not seem to be found regularly in the pet trade.
23. Green Crested Lizard
- Latin name: Bronchocela cristatella
- Habitat: Forested areas of Southeast Asia
- Size: Up to 22 inches long
- Diet: Mostly different types of insects, although it also eats small skinks
- Colorful feature: These lizards are a bright leaf-green in color, and they have a dark ring around each eye.
These slender lizards are among the many colorful creatures found in Southeast Asia. You can readily tell the difference between them and other green lizards by the thin dark circle around each eye. It’s also easy to tell the difference between males and females, as males have a small, spiky crest.
24. Frilled Lizard
- Latin name: Chlamydosaurus kingii
- Habitat: Usually tropical savanna regions in northern Australia and southern New Guinea
- Size: Usually around 3 feet long
- Diet: Mostly insects and smaller vertebrates, although they do sometimes eat plants
- Colorful feature: These lizards aren’t usually especially bright, but their frills are often a fiery color when fanned out. They open the frills when frightened or threatened.
These unusual-looking lizards are usually colored so they can camouflage when their frills are not opened. But if they need to scare a predator, they can quickly become bright and colorful creatures. Thanks to the carotenoid pigments in the frill, it is usually covered in scales that range from red to orange. Like some other Australian reptiles, they are often kept as exotic pets.
25. Jackson’s Chameleon
- Latin name: Trioceros jacksonii
- Habitat: Forests in East Africa
- Size: Females are usually up to 10 inches long, while males are up to 15 inches
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: Most of these chameleons are a bright, energetic green. Even in the wild, some of them have accents of bright blue and yellow.
Unlike some other species of chameleon, male Jackson’s chameleons have three horns on the head. They are sometimes kept in captivity, but it can be difficult to effectively recreate their natural environment. They need a very humid environment, but excessive humidity can cause respiratory and eye problems.
26. Crested Gecko
- Latin name: Correlophus ciliatus
- Habitat: Rainforest canopies in New Caledonia
- Size: About 6-7 inches long
- Diet: Insects, fruit, nectar, and pollen
- Colorful feature: In the wild, these geckos are usually a brownish color. But selective breeding has resulted in the production of many bright colors and patterns.
The crested gecko is also called the eyelash gecko due to the eyelash-like fringes at the start of the crest. It is a popular pet thanks to its bright colors and gentle demeanor; it is second only to the leopard gecko in terms of popularity. Despite that popularity, these geckos are considered to be vulnerable to extinction in the wild.
27. Palmato Gecko
- Latin name: Pachydactylus rangei
- Habitat: Desert areas in Angola, South Africa, and Namibia
- Size: About 5 inches long
- Diet: Various types of insects
- Colorful feature: These lizards have pinkish skin that is often marked by blue and brown lines. Unlike many geckos, it is capable of biofluorescence. In this state, some of the lines on the skin shine a bright neon yellow.
This unusual-looking gecko is uniquely adapted to live in the desert. It has webbed feet that let it stay on top of the sand and burrow into it when necessary. Although it can drink water that has pooled in leaves, it also has the ability to absorb water through the skin. Like the crested gecko and some other varieties, the palmato gecko has no eyelids. The eyes are covered with a clear scale, and the gecko can clean them using its tongue.
28. Jeweled Chameleon
- Latin name: Furcifer lateralis
- Habitat: Woodland areas in Madagascar
- Size: Up to about 10 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These chameleons can be brilliantly colored, and their multicolored scales look like little jewels. They can darken their color to absorb more sunlight and lighten it when excited or alert.
The jeweled chameleon, also called the carpet chameleon or white-lined chameleon, is easily one of the most beautiful. It’s different from many lizard species in that the females tend to be more brightly colored than the males. In the wild, these lizards hunt by waiting for prey to come close to them. They will then catch it with their long, sticky tongues.
29. Mauritius Ornate Day Gecko
- Latin name: Phelsuma ornata
- Habitat: Coastal parts of the isands of Mauritius
- Size: Up to about 4.7 inches long
- Diet: Insects and nectar
- Colorful feature: These stunning creatures usually have green bodies and a bright blue head, both of which are colored with red markings. Their tails are bright turquoise and are usually crossed with red bands, although some of the bands can be yellow.
These beautiful lizards can sometimes be kept as pets. Even in the wild, observers have noted that they don’t seem to be scared of humans. If you try talking to one, it will often stop and make eye contact as you do.
30. Grand Cayman Anole
- Latin name: Anolis conspersus
- Habitat: Woodland areas of the tropical Grand Cayman Island
- Size: Up to around 8 inches long
- Diet: Insects, especially roaches and crickets
- Colorful feature: Males of this species are incredibly bright, and they often are mostly turquoise blue in color. The tops of their heads and parts of the upper body are green.
If you’re fortunate enough to see one of these anoles inflate his throat, you’ll see that it’s an even deeper blue than much of the body. The Grand Cayman anole is one of the lizard species that can shed its tail if it is attacked. The tail can grow back, but it takes up to eight months.
31. Grand Cayman Blue Iguana
- Latin name: Cyclura lewisi
- Habitat: Mostly shrubby areas of Grand Cayman Island
- Size: Up to 5 feet long
- Diet: Mostly leaves, fruit, and flowers, although they very rarely may eat insects or fungi
- Colorful feature: These lizards usually have a brown-to-gray body that has strong bluish overtones. Depending on the season, these lizards may look more blue.
The rare and stunning blue iguana is one of the blue animals you can find in the Cayman Islands. This lizard is currently an endangered species, and it has its own preserve on Grand Cayman Island. The blue iguana lives longer than many other lizard species; it can live to be 60 years old or more!
32. Jewel Lizard
- Latin name: Liolaemus tenuis
- Habitat: Relatively vegetation-rich areas in Chile
- Size: Up to about 5.5 inches long
- Diet: Different types of insects
- Colorful feature: Makes of this species are especially beautiful; much of the body is bright yellow-green mottled with black. The tail and a large portion of the lower body are both bright turquoise.
This stunning lizard can sometimes be kept as a pet, although it isn’t especially common. In the wild, a breeding pair becomes territorial; both lizards will select a tree and claim it. They will then chase away other lizards of the same species.
33. Sumatran Bloodsucker
- Latin name: Bronchocela hayeki
- Habitat: Tropical areas of Indonesia
- Size: Up to about 17 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These lizards look a little like green crested lizards at first, but their facial markings set them apart. Their bodies are a bright spring green, but the mouth is marked with black. The mouth marking makes it look like the lizard is smiling, and a black patch over each eye makes it look like it is wearing makeup.
There isn’t too much out there about this lizard. It’s an agamid lizard, and it’s easy to see its similarities with many of the agama lizards on the list. Its body is long and slender, and its long, graceful toes help it grasp tree branches.
34. Fiji Banded Iguana
- Latin name: Brachylophus bulabula
- Habitat: Forested areas of the island of Fiji
- Size: Up to about 22 inches long
- Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers
- Colorful feature: These are some of the most colorful iguana lizards out there. Females are almost entirely brilliant green. Males are a similar green color that is marked with thick, irregularly-shaped turquoise bands.
The Fiji banded iguana is one of the iguana species that almost looks unreal. They are smaller than many iguana-type lizards, so they can be a little easier to handle. You don’t see them too often in the pet trade, but they may be available from some exotic reptile dealers. Due to their rarity in both the pet trade and in the wild (they are currently classified as an endangered species), they are often very expensive.
35. Fan-Throated Lizard
- Latin name: Sitana ponticeriana
- Habitat: Sparse forests in the eastern part of India
- Size: Up to about 8 inches long
- Diet: Primarily insects
- Colorful feature: At first glance, these lizards look somewhat nondescript. They are a greayish-brown color that camouflages easily. But when they fan out their throats, you will see a burst of color; the throats are blue, black, and red.
This beautiful little lizard looks a little like a brown anole at first glance. Though most of the body is dull in color, it’s covered with fairly intricate patterns. When fanned, the throat is brilliantly colored with black and very saturated shades of red and blue.
36. Green Anole
- Latin name: Anolis carolinensis
- Habitat: Tree-filled areas of the southeastern United States; it has been successfully introduced to the Caribbean and Pacific islands
- Size: Up to 8 inches long
- Diet: Mostly smaller insects, but they do very rarely eat grains and seeds
- Colorful feature: These anoles can change their color from a bright spring green to brown. When they fan out their throats, you can sometimes see a brilliant pink dewlap.
Though green anoles are common, they are still impressively colorful. They play an important part in the reptile world; they are sometimes sold as feeder lizards, but they also make good pets. However, unlike some species of lizards, these anoles don’t enjoy being handled very often.
37. Bearded Dragon
- Latin name: Pogona vitticeps
- Habitat: Mostly desert areas of Australia
- Size: Females usually reach about 20 inches long, while males reach about 24 inches
- Diet: Usually insects and various types of vegetation, although they do sometimes eat smaller rodents
- Colorful feature: In the wild, these lizards are usually brownish to orangish in order to camouflage. In captivity, selective breeding has produced some spectacular colors, including bright orange, bright yellow, red, pied, white, and more.
Though the Pogona genus includes several species of bearded dragons, Pogona vitticeps (the central bearded dragon) is the friendliest and the one most often seen in the pet trade. They are intelligent lizards who bond with their owners and often seem to enjoy being handled. One study even found that they were able to learn by observation.
38. Ground Agama
- Latin name: Agama aculeata
- Habitat: Most parts of sub-Saharan Africa
- Size: Up to about 8 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: In many cases, these lizards mostly have dull coloring. They range from a medium brown to a fairly bright orange. But in the breeding season, the males get a brilliant touch of color. The sides of their heads become an especially brilliant, metallic blue.
This African lizard is one of the many agama species. Because males only become colorful during breeding season (and even then, they aren’t as colorful as some other agamas), they aren’t really popular in the pet trade.
39. Gila Monster
- Latin name: Heloderma suspectum
- Habitat: Desert areas in the southwestern United States and the northwestern part of Mexico
- Size: Up to 2 feet long
- Diet: Mostly smaller mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, although they do sometimes eat eggs and carrion
- Colorful feature: These lizards usually have a deep black base color that is covered in splotches of orange. The colors look especially mesmerizing on the Gila monster’s unique skin, which has a beaded appearance.
These interesting-looking lizards spend 90% of their lives underground. But when they are above ground, they can be very dangerous. They are a venomous lizard whose bite is as toxic as that of some rattlesnakes. However, while a bite is painful and can cause some serious physical symptoms, it is almost never fatal to humans.
40. Sand Lizard
- Latin name: Lacerta agilis
- Habitat: Typically dry, sandy areas across much of Europe
- Size: Females get up to about 7 inches long, while males can get up to almost 8 inches
- Diet: Fruit, flowers, insects, and spiders
- Colorful feature: Males of this species are usually bright green in breeding season. Depending on the subspecies, they may have a dark brownish dorsal stripe or turn entirely green. Sometimes, the green color includes fine black spots.
The sand lizard is a common sight through much of Europe, especially in the eastern portions. In colder parts of Europe, it only lives in coastal areas to ensure that the sun-heated sand is hot enough to incubate their eggs. Though it can be found in many places in Europe, its distribution is patchy enough that you likely won’t see it everywhere.
41. Green Iguana
- Latin name: Iguana iguana
- Habitat: Forested areas throughout parts of northern South America and Mexico; it also has established populations in Puerto Rico, southern Florida, the Virgin Islands, and Hawaii
- Size: Usually up to almost 5 feet long, although some individuals grow even longer
- Diet: Mostly fruit and various types of plant matter, although they may rarely eat insects or eggs
- Colorful feature: Though the name suggests that they are only green, these iguanas come in a range of colors. Some are bright green with blue accents, others are bluish to purple in color, and still others are reddish orange.
When it comes to being kept as pets, green iguanas are some of the most popular reptiles. However, that popularity doesn’t mean that they are easy to keep. In order to thrive, iguanas need an excellent balance of heat and humidity, and their diet requires precise ratios of calcium and phosphorous. However, thanks to their gentle nature, they do make excellent pets.
42. Plumed Basilisk
- Latin name: Basiliscus plumifrons
- Habitat: Forested parts of South America
- Size: Up to 3 feet long
- Diet: Small animals (including mammals, birds, and other lizards) as well as fruits, leaves, flowers, and seeds
- Colorful feature: While females of the species are a pretty yet subdued green, males are especially bright. They are a highly energetic green in color, and they have three crests. They also are marked with bright blue spots.
This stunning lizard has an unusual nickname; you may sometimes hear it referred to as the Jesus Christ lizard. That’s because it is able to run on water for very short distances. When needed, it can also submerge itself and remain underwater for up to 90 minutes. It’s possible to keep one of these remarkable lizards as a pet, but it’s good to understand that they don’t tolerate too much handling.
43. Southern Rock Agama
- Latin name: Agama atra
- Habitat: Rocky areas in southern Africa
- Size: Up to about 10 inches long
- Diet: Usually small insects
- Colorful feature: Females and juveniles of this species are usually plain grayish-brown. However, males have bright blue heads during breeding season.
Most of the time, these hardy lizards can camouflage into their rocky habitats. However, during breeding season, the male’s colorful head makes it easier for predators to notice him. To make capture less likely, the male can make his colors fade somewhat if he is under attack.
44. Common Green Forest Lizard
- Latin name: Calotes calotes
- Habitat: Certain forested areas in India and Sri Lanka
- Size: Up to about 26 inches long
- Diet: Primarily insects
- Colorful feature: Most of these lizards are bright green in color, and some have small turquoise accents on the face. Males develop a bright red head, while females typically have heads that are bright yellow-green.
Even though it’s described as “common,” this little lizard can be especially eye-catching. Both males and females have spiky crests, and the male’s bright red, very large head makes him especially noticeable.
45. Cape Dwarf Chameleon
- Latin name: Bradypodion pumilum
- Habitat: Only the area around Cape Town in South Africa
- Size: Often 6 inches or more in length
- Diet: Primarily insects
- Colorful feature: These chameleons are mostly bright green, with streaks of bright colors on each side. However, there is no standard coloration, so some of these chameleons are much brighter than others.
There are many more species of chameleon than most of us realize. The Cape dwarf chameleon is one of the lesser-known species, as its natural range is incredibly limited. Though they do especially well in forests, these small chameleons have adapted to life in urban areas as well. In some cases, they can make their home in sunny gardens with plenty of bushes.
46. Mexican Alligator Lizard
- Latin name: Abronia graminea
- Habitat: Usually forest canopies in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental highlands
- Size: Up to about 12 inches long
- Diet: Many different types of insects
- Colorful feature: Adults of this species are usually a bright emerald green or a deep teal blue, but it’s not unusual to see adults with coloration outside of this scheme.
These beautiful lizards look a little like figurines at first glance. They are considered to be an endangered species due to both habitat loss and capture for the illegal pet trade. They are currently protected under Mexican federal law.
47. Augrabies Flat Lizard
- Latin name: Platysaurus broadleyi
- Habitat: Rocky savanna areas in South Africa
- Size: Usually about 6 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects, although they do enjoy fig berries
- Colorful feature: Males of this species are especially colorful; they have heads and upper bodies that are mostly blue, while their forelegs are mostly yellow. Their hind legs include large red patches. Their backs are often greenish.
This unique lizard is also called Broadley’s flat lizard. Its name comes from the fact that its very flat body makes it especially easy for it to hide from predators in very small spaces. These lizards often catch their insect prey while it is in mid-flight; it isn’t unusual to see an Augrabies flat lizard leap up into the air in order to catch something!
48. Tokay Gecko
- Latin name: Gekko gecko
- Habitat: Rainforests in parts of Asia and some islands in the Pacific
- Size: Up to 12 inches long
- Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, fruit, and other plant matter
- Colorful feature: These geckos are usually bluish-gray with reddish-brown spots. Males tend to be brighter in color, and many of them look more blue than the females.
These colorful, fairly large geckos are fairly commonly sold as pets. But unlike the leopard gecko, a tokay gecko probably isn’t the best choice for new reptile keepers. These geckos are often fairly aggressive, and they have a more powerful bite than other geckos; it usually breaks the skin. These geckos are also unusual in another regard; they are capable of making different calls and sounds.
49. Green Striped Tree Dragon
- Latin name: Japalura splendida
- Habitat: Lowland jungles along China’s Yangtze River
- Size: Usually about 10 to 12 inches
- Diet: Mostly insects, although they do sometimes eat plant matter
- Colorful feature: Males of this species usually have a dark black-brown base color. Their backs are streaked in neon yellow-green, and the rest of their bodies are typically mottled in the same color. Often, these bright spots are iridescent.
These lizards are commonly called “neon tree dragons.” They are sometimes found in the pet market, but they are not as readily available as bearded dragons, leopard geckos, or Chinese water dragons. However, caring for one of the lizards in captivity is somewhat similar to caring for Chinese water dragons.
50. Panther Chameleon
- Latin name: Furcifer pardalis
- Habitat: Tropical forests in parts of Madagascar
- Size: Usually about 6.7 inches on average
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: In the wild, colors vary by location, and panther chameleons can be found in red, green, blue, or orange. However, expert breeders have produced panther chameleons in countless breathtaking multicolor morphs.
The panther chameleon is one of the better-known species of chameleon, and they are very common in the pet trade. Its species name comes from a Latin word meaning “spotted like a panther” or “leopard.” (The genus name comes from a word meaning “forked”; it describes the chameleon’s feet.) Interestingly, their eyes can rotate independently, making it easy for them to spot predators without having to move their heads or bodies.
51. European Green Lizard
- Latin name: Lacerta viridis
- Habitat: Densely vegetated areas in the middle latitudes of Europe
- Size: Up to 16 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects and other invertebrates; it does sometimes eat larger animals, eggs, and fruit
- Colorful feature: These lizards have bodies that are a rich grass green. Both sexes have somewhat bluish throats, but the male’s throat is often a very bright turquoise.
These common lizards seem to be very comfortable living around people; although they prefer very dense vegetation, they often will bask in lawns or populated areas. As a species, it has been introduced in the state of Kansas.
52. Oriental Garden Lizard
- Latin name: Calotes versicolor
- Habitat: Many habitat types (especially those involving a good amount of undergrowth) across the Indo-Malayan area
- Size: Up to 14.5 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects, although they do sometimes eat smaller vertebrates
- Colorful feature: This lizard is sometimes called the “changeable lizard,” and the male can change his colors readily in breeding season. He sometimes will have a yellow head and neck, red body, and black limbs and tail. Outside of breeding season, these lizards can change their colors from drab brown to red, black, or a mixture of both.
These colorful lizards are an especially interesting group, as they can change color in several different ways. They are sometimes called bloodsucker lizards (not to be confused with the Sumatran bloodsucker lizard). That name likely comes from the fact that, during breeding season, males usually have bright red throats.
53. Saharan Uromastyx
- Latin name: Uromastyx geyri
- Habitat: Dry areas of North Africa
- Size: About 13 inches long
- Diet: Mostly vegetation, especially green leaves
- Colorful feature: This lizard comes in two color phases: red and yellow. The red phase ranges from red to bright orange, while the yellow phase sometimes approaches neon yellow. Often, they appear as dark-colored lizards with brighter spots across the back. Of course, as with many captive lizards, breeders have developed a range of bright and unusual color morphs.
Though there are a few different species of uromastyx, this is the one most commonly found in the pet trade. Though new reptile keepers may be wary of their prehistoric appearance, uromastyx have quiet, gentle natures, making them a great choice for those new to keeping reptiles.
54. Emerald Swift
- Latin name: Sceloporus malachiticus
- Habitat: Tropical and semi-tropical areas of South America
- Size: Usually about 6-8 inches long
- Diet: Mostly insects
- Colorful feature: These lizards are typically bright green, although some individuals have patches of yellow or blue. In many cases, their scales appear to be outlined in black, although the black outlining is more prominent on some individuals. Usually, males are more colorful than females.
These beautiful lizards are relatively common in the world of exotic pets, and they are surprisingly easy to care for. They don’t have quite the specific humidity needs of iguanas, and they are usually willing to eat crickets and various forms of commercial reptile foods.
55. Gold Dust Day Gecko
- Latin name: Phelsuma laticauda
- Habitat: Humid areas of Madagascar and the island of Comoros, although it has been successfully introduced to Hawaii and some other Pacific islands
- Size: About 6-9 inches long
- Diet: Insects and nectar
- Colorful feature: These geckos are usually a bright spring green with red and blue markings on the head. The skin around the eyes is blue, too, and the back usually has a few red markings.
This colorful lizard just might look familiar; it’s the species that the Geico gecko was modeled after! They can be kept as pets, but setting up the terrarium is a bit more challenging than it is for some other species, as these geckos need many plants and a specific humidity range to thrive.
Nature’s Brightly Colored Lizards
Hopefully you have the chance to see one of these striking animals in person soon. Some of these colorful lizards make great pets, but others are better left to their homes in the wild. Regardless, we hope they’ve added some color to your life.
