Lizards are a type of reptile, and while many different reptiles are known to be able to swim, not all lizards can. This has caused some confusion across the internet about whether lizards can swim, so that’s the issue we’re going to try and clear up in this piece. Let’s dive in to the question of, “can lizards swim?”
Can lizards swim? It’s not a straight yes or no
It’s too sweeping a statement to say that lizards can or cannot swim, as you need to examine the different species, their abilities and their habitat to understand them better. Swimming is something of a skill, so it is often associated with an actual need, rather than for fun. If you own a pet lizard, it’s a good idea to establish which type you have before letting them anywhere near water.
Let’s dive in and find out which lizards can actually swim.
Which lizards can swim?
Around the world there are several different species of lizard that can swim, including:
- Marine iguana – Native to the Galapagos islands, they’re the only lizards that are known to swim in the ocean.
- Basilisks – Known more for their ability to run on water, basilisks have also been known to swim despite being tree-dwellers
- Water dragons – These are capable swimmers (hence the name) and are found most often in Asia.
- Monitor lizards – This family of lizards is capable of swimming and includes the famous Komodo dragon.
- Green anoles – This small lizard can swim if necessary, but only for short distances.
- Common lizard – One of the few lizard species found native in the UK, they can swim a short distance when they need to.
- Bearded dragon – A common pet, the bearded dragon isn’t known to swim in the wild but some owners have found that theirs can.
As you can tell, there are a variety of lizards that can swim, differing in their ability levels and their tendency towards water. Most pet lizards will be unlikely to swim, though you can offer them shallow pools of water to soak and bathe in. Always ensure you have safe routes out of the water, including having stones and branches around the edge of any pool that they can use to pull themselves out.
How do lizards swim?
The first thing to note is that lizards are not specialised for breathing underwater, so any swimming is usually done at a surface level. While some may be able to hold their breath longer than others, it’s often not a natural thing for pet lizards.
Since different lizards have different skills and are found in varying habitats, there are a few ways they can propel themselves through water:
- Their limbs – like most creatures, lizards will tend to adopt a paddling motion with their limbs to get moving.
- Their body – using a motion that looks a little like a side-to-side shimmy, lizards can create thrust in water if powerful enough.
- Their tails – just as the tail helps a lizard to stabilise on tree branches, it can also help them in the water like a rudder, even swishing side-to-side for extra propulsion.
- Their feet – a few lizards will have webbed feet that allow for extra swimming thrust.
- Their lungs – by filling their lungs with air, some lizards can give themselves a floating chance on water.
Why can’t all lizards swim?
Though you might think of lizards as being similar to some amphibious creatures, they aren’t all natural swimmers. There are several reasons for this, including their simple evolutionary backgrounds. Some lizard species will have developed quite happily without the pressure to have to swim to survive, and therefore haven’t needed to hone the skills.
While some lizards have smoother, more streamlined bodies, very few are built for the act of swimming. A more robust body structure means it’s hard to get enough momentum going if you don’t have any special adaptations, such as the previously mentioned webbed feet.
We touched on the fact that some lizards use their lungs for buoyancy on water, but like plenty of animals they don’t breathe underwater, so there is always a limit to how much time they will want to spend in the water. Only marine iguanas can hold their breath long enough to go for a substantial dip beneath the surface.
Should I let my pet lizard swim?
Unless you know for a fact that your lizard is definitely from a species that has developed the skills to swim, we don’t recommend that you plunge them into bodies of water. If you’re unsure if your pet lizard is a type that can swim, always consult a professional veterinarian first.
For many lizards, a shallow pool of water that they can soak in from time to time will be enough. Again, their enclosure should only feature bodies of water they can climb back out of and it should never be so deep that they could drown if left unsupervised. Furthermore, if your lizard has shown a real dislike of water in their enclosure, then you should always take note of this and avoid forcing them into water.
