How does a leopard lizard adapt to its environment?
Adaptation can only be understood with respect to environmental conditions. In the case of leopard lizards, there are some adaptations shared with other lizards, squamates, and tetrapods (inclusive categories). Leopard lizards are member of family Crotaphytidae, which are characteristic of arid and semiarid plains. They have morphological, physiological and behavioral specializations to live in this kind of environment. Just look at their cryptic coloration. They are very fast ambush predators (well developed limbs and tail), and usually avoid densely vegetated regions. And a word of caution: until the real advantage of a trait with respect to others in the same environment has been tested, it’s better not to call it an adaptation (it’s just an hypothesis). Use “specialization” if you wish.
