The World’s Most Brilliantly Colored Lizards

"Yak! Those creatures are freaking slimy," I don't blame you if you too share a similar observation. But guess what, after running through some interesting facts about them -- you will surely love these guys.

There are about 3,800 different species of lizards worldwide. They inhabit all continents except Antarctica. Green colored and dull colored lizards are very common. Have you seen a blue lizard? How about a red or orange one? How about a red-violet-colored reptile? A red-violet-colored lizard will surely look beautiful and pretty.

Mwanza Flat-headed Agama

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The Mwanza Flat-headed Agama (Agama mwanzae) is probably the prettiest of all lizards. It looks stunning with its red-violet and blue color combination. It can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. This lizard that loves basking on rocks, hence it is also commonly known as Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama.

The Mwanza Flat-headed Agama is now a very popular and fashionable pet because of its bright coloration which resembles the popular comic book superhero Lizard-man … errr…Spider-man.

Cape Dwarf Chameleon

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As the common name of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon(Bradypodion pumilum) implies, it is a small but very vibrant species of chameleon. It is endemic to Western Cape, South Africa. Like many chameleons, it has a tongue twice as long as its body which it uses to catch insects some distance away. Including its tail, it can grow to a length of 15 cm.

Kenyan Rock Agama

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The Kenyan Rock Agama (Agama lionotus) is an attractive and colorful lizard species that can be found in Kenya, hence the name. it can be found also in Uganda and Tanzania. It is often mistaken for the Red-headed Rock Agama which is another species of Agama.

Lined Day Gecko

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Another brilliantly color lizard species is the Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata lineate). This pretty gecko can be found in Madagascar inhabiting different trees and houses. Insects and nectars are its favorite foods. This small lizard, reaching about 15 cm in length, is dark green in color with small red dots.

Sinai Agama

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The Sinai Agama (Agama sinaita) is a blue-colored lizard species commonly found in desert areas around the Red Sea. This agamid lizard is a good runner and climber and can grow up to 25 cm long. This omnivore feeds on plants, arthropods and insects. The male species turns to striking blue to attract females while in heat.

Emerald Tree Monitor

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The Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus) is a brightly-colored arboreal lizard highly sought after by private collectors and zoos alike. This monitor lizard is popular for its unusual coloration, which consists of shades from green to turquoise. It can be found in New Zealand and Australia and neighboring islands. It can grow up to 100 cm in length. It is also commonly known as the Green Tree Monitor.

Blue-tailed Skink

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The lovely and attractive Blue-tailed Skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) is endemic to Australia which is recognizable for its blue tail and black body with yellow stripes. It can grow up to more than 8 cm in length. Male species lose the blue color of its tail as it matures while the female species retains the blue color of its tail for life.

Lined Plated Lizard

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The cool-looking Lined Plated Lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) is not a very brightly-colored lizard but it is somehow unique in coloration and appearance. This particular lizard species was photographed at the Kirindy Forest Reserve in Madagascar.

Common Green Forest Lizard

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The colorful head of the Common Green Forest Lizard (Calotes calotes) is what makes it remarkable. This captivating lizard can be found in India and Sri Lanka. In addition to its striking appearance, its body is bright green in color with 5 or 6 whitish or dark, green transverse stripes. Its belly is pale green and its tail is light brown.

Blue-tailed Day Gecko

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The Blue-tailed Day Gecko (Phelsuma cepediana) is a beautiful and colorful gecko species of Mauritius. This medium-sized diurnal species can grow up to 15 cm long. The male species is bright blue in color with red spots and dashes while female species is bright green with rust-colored spots without the blue color.