There are more than 3000 different kinds of lizards throughout the world. They live where the ground never freezes, mostly in deserts, but sometimes in swamps, meadows, forests and even houses and other buildings. Most lizards are harmless and a help to mankind by eating quantities of insects that destroy crops.
Among the interesting ones are 13 varieties of the whiptail lizard. These have tails which are half again as long as their bodies and which they use in running over the sand. The males are dark brown and 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 year 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 while chasing this food.
As mentioned, there is rarely any water where this little animal lives, and this gives us another example of the Creator’s care of His creatures. When a foggy night comes our little friend goes out to benefit from it. The fog condenses into drops of water on its skin. The gecko licks up these drops and in this way gets all the water it needs.
An unusual lizard is the 12-inch anole which has skin like very coarse sandpaper. Its flat head has a large mouth which 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 his neck to attract a mate or scare a challenger. At the same time he spreads his front feet and bobs his body up and down in a peculiar manner. The female lays her eggs on the sand, covers them lightly and lets the sun keep them warm until they hatch. 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. Psalm 23 begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and ends 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?
(to be continued)
JUNE 21, 1998
ML-06/21/1998