Lizards are preyed upon by a variety of predators depending on their habitat and size. Some of the common predators include:
- Birds: Birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, and owls are known to hunt lizards. Smaller birds may also prey on young or small lizards.
- Snakes: Many snake species feed on lizards. Some snakes are specialized lizard hunters and have evolved to catch and consume them efficiently.
- Mammals: Predatory mammals like foxes, raccoons, and cats often hunt lizards. In some regions, larger mammals such as wild dogs and even primates may prey on lizards.
- Other Reptiles: Larger lizards, such as monitor lizards, may eat smaller lizard species. In some cases, cannibalism can occur where larger lizards prey on smaller ones of the same species.
- Insects and Arachnids: Certain large insects and arachnids, such as centipedes and spiders, can prey on small or juvenile lizards.
Lizards have developed various defense mechanisms to avoid being eaten, such as camouflage, speed, and the ability to detach their tails (autotomy) to escape predators.