Introduction to Lizards
Kids, you must have seen a lizard on the walls of your home or in your garden. Many people are afraid of them. Today we will learn about lizards and what the fear of lizards is called in this article. So, first, let's talk about lizards.
Lizards are reptiles (animals having dry and scaly skin and laying eggs on land). There are 7000 species of lizards. Lizards can be a few centimetres long also and can be 3 metres also. They vary in size according to the place where they live. Many of you might be afraid when you see a lizard. Fear of lizards is known as herpetophobia. It is a fear of reptiles. It also includes a fear of snakes also in it.
Lizard
Lizards
The scientific name of the lizard is Lacertilia. It falls under the kingdom Animalia. Lizards are scaly-skinned reptiles. They lay eggs. They have movable eyelids. They do not have hair or feather on their body. Chameleons, Iguanas, and geckos are a few types of lizards. Lizards are cold-blooded (body temperature changes according to the temperature of their surroundings.
Characteristics of Lizards
Maximum lizards do not live in very cold places.
They are found more in wet tropics or dry deserts.
Lizards commonly have four legs, but some have no legs.
Lizards have long tails.
Few lizards are poisonous in nature.
Most lizards are active during the day.
Lizards are able to change their colour.
Colour-changing Lizard
What is the Fear of Lizards Called?
Fear of lizards is called herpetophobia. People suffering from herpetophobia have a fear of reptiles like snakes and lizards. It is a type of anxiety disorder. Anyone with herpetophobia will feel very scared when they see a lizard or snake or any other reptile, even a turtle. It is a common disorder. Many people have this disorder. Many people are scared of lizards called Glia monsters. It is poisonous to humans.
Gila monster
Symptoms of Herpetophobia
Always thinking about reptiles
Anxiety
Fear
Dizziness
Sweating
Increased heart rate
Chest tightness
Situations of Herpetophobia
Symptoms of herpetophobia can be seen when:
Patients think about lizards.
When any other people around them talk about lizards.
When they see any picture or video of lizards.
Kids and Herpetophobia
In many cases, children are also patients with herpetophobia. A child shows the following reactions when they see or face any lizard.
Start to shout and cry.
Cling to their parents.
Freeze at that place.
Throws a tantrum.
How to Deal with Herpetophobia?
Generally, no medication is provided in the case of herpetophobia. It is treated with therapy. The therapy slowly increases the patient's exposure to reptiles. Like they may tell you to think or talk about lizards first. Then they will ask you to hold a reptile in their next sessions. They will slowly teach you to cope with the fear of lizards.
Additional Tips to Overcome the Fear of Lizards
There are some extra tips for coping with the fear of lizards other than medication and therapy. These tips include yoga, exercise, medication, a good diet plan, regular sleep, and discussing your fear of lizards with your parents or friends. You can take the help of your loved ones to overcome this fear.
Summary
In this article, we have discussed lizards and what the fear of lizards is called. Lizards are reptiles belonging to the kingdom Animalia. They are cold-blooded. They show features like long tails and movable eyelids. They love to live in dry places like deserts. They are found in very few quantities in cold areas.
Herpetophobia is the condition of fear of lizards and other reptiles. Patients with herpetophobia feel uncomfortable talking or facing any lizards. They sweat or may even faint after looking at or talking about lizards. Therapy and proper medication can treat herpetophobia. Other steps like yoga and exercise will also be helpful in treating herpetophobia.
FAQs on Fear of Lizards: A Common Problem
1. What is the scientific name for the fear of lizards?
The intense fear of lizards, and other reptiles like snakes, is scientifically known as herpetophobia. It is a specific type of anxiety disorder where a person feels extreme fear even when thinking about or seeing a picture of a reptile.
2. Is it normal to be scared of lizards?
Yes, it is quite common and normal for many people, including children and adults, to be scared of lizards. This fear can range from mild discomfort to intense panic. It's considered one of the more common specific phobias related to animals.
3. What are the common symptoms of having a fear of lizards?
A person with a strong fear of lizards might experience several symptoms when they see or think about one. These can include:
- Feeling intense anxiety or panic.
- An increased heart rate and sweating.
- Dizziness or feeling faint.
- Chest tightness or trouble breathing.
- An immediate desire to run away or hide.
4. What causes someone to develop a fear of lizards?
The fear of lizards can develop for a few reasons. It might be due to a negative past experience, like being startled by a lizard as a child. It can also be a learned behaviour, picked up by observing a parent or family member who is also afraid of them. Sometimes, it is an evolutionary response to be wary of unfamiliar, scaly creatures.
5. How can a person overcome their fear of lizards?
Overcoming a fear of lizards often involves specific therapies, particularly exposure therapy, where a professional helps you gradually get used to reptiles in a safe, controlled way. Other helpful tips include:
- Learning more about lizards to understand they are mostly harmless.
- Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing when you feel anxious.
- Talking about your fear with family or friends for support.
6. Are house lizards dangerous to humans?
No, common house lizards, or geckos, are not dangerous to humans. They are non-venomous, and their bites are extremely rare and not harmful. In fact, they are very helpful as they eat insects like mosquitoes, flies, and spiders in our homes.
7. Are lizards more scared of humans than we are of them?
Yes, most lizards, especially the small ones you find at home, are much more scared of humans. To a small lizard, a human is a giant predator. This is why their first instinct is to scurry away and hide the moment they detect a person nearby. They see us as a threat to their safety.
8. Why do lizards sometimes lose their tails, and does it hurt them?
Lizards can detach their tails on purpose as a defence mechanism. This is called caudal autotomy. If a predator grabs their tail, it breaks off and continues to wiggle, which distracts the attacker while the lizard escapes. While the lizard can regrow its tail, it is a stressful event for them. Understanding this helps us see them as prey animals, not aggressors.
9. How can learning interesting facts about lizards help reduce my fear?
Learning about lizards can transform fear into curiosity. For example, knowing that lizards help us by eating pests, that chameleons change colour to communicate and hide, or that geckos can climb walls using special feet makes them fascinating instead of just scary. When you understand an animal's behaviour and its role in nature, it replaces unknown fear with knowledge and respect.
