In Praise of Lizards

Biologist Michael Denton commented here the other day on the mysteries surrounding the origin of lizard scales, as well as bird feathers and mammal hairs, research that began with the discovery of a mutant "naked" bearded dragon, born without scales. Their scales, however, only scratch the surface of what makes lizards fascinating.

For most of us, or at least boys who enjoy the challenge of trying to pick them up without getting bitten, interest in lizards tails off after age eight or so. As...