Lizards sleep in a variety of places depending on their species and habitat. Common sleeping locations include:
- Underground burrows: Many lizards such as skinks, monitors, and night lizards dig or use existing burrows to avoid predators and regulate body temperature. These burrows provide safety and insulation, helping conserve energy
- Under objects: Ground-dwelling lizards often sleep under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or debris to block wind and precipitation while benefiting from the microclimate underneath. Some species like Gila monsters may sleep under the same rock for months during cooler periods
- In crevices and cracks: Smaller lizards tend to hide in cracks, crevices, or under bark to stay safe from predators. Geckos, for example, sleep inside crevices, under rocks or bark, sometimes even clinging vertically or upside down on walls due to their specialized toe pads
- On branches or leaves: Arboreal lizards such as iguanas and chameleons sleep on tree branches or in dense foliage. They wedge themselves securely in forks or angles of branches or grasp branches with their feet and tails. Some chameleons sleep high in trees, sometimes with eyes half-open or changing color for camouflage
- Camouflaged in open areas: When hiding spots are scarce, some lizards rely on their coloration and patterns to blend into their surroundings and sleep while remaining still and inconspicuous
In summary, lizards choose sleeping spots that provide safety from predators, favorable temperature regulation, and camouflage. These can be underground, under objects, in crevices, or on vegetation depending on the species and environment
