lizardlike

Lizardlike is an English adjective used to describe features that resemble or evoke lizards, a diverse group of squamate reptiles. The term is primarily descriptive or figurative and does not imply a formal taxonomic relationship.

Biologically, lizardlike traits commonly cited include dry, scaly skin and an elongated body with a tail, though morphology varies widely among species. Many lizards have four limbs and a sprawling gait; some lineages are legless or have reduced limbs. Skin texture, coloration, and features such as toe pads for climbing or crested heads for display can contribute to a lizardlike appearance. Lizards are ectothermic, relying on external heat sources to regulate body temperature, a property that can be reflected in lizardlike behavior such as basking or rapid, ground-hugging movement.

In descriptive writing and popular media, lizardlike is used to convey reptilian aesthetics—sleek, scaly skin, low-to-the-ground locomotion, and keen, mobile eyes. The term is context-dependent and comparative, capable of describing living animals, extinct species, or fantasy creatures designed to evoke a reptilian look or demeanor.

See also lizard, reptile, reptilian.