Editing Lizard (section)

===Diet===
[[File:Western Green Lizard.jpg|thumb|[[Western green lizard]] ambushes its [[grasshopper]] prey.]]

The majority of lizard species are [[predatory]] and the most common prey items are small, terrestrial invertebrates, particularly [[insect]]s.<ref name=Firefly/><ref name="Pianka-Vitt41"/> Many species are [[sit-and-wait predators]] though others may be more active foragers.<ref>Pianka and Vitt, pp. 53–55.</ref> Chameleons prey on numerous insect species, such as [[beetle]]s, [[grasshopper]]s and winged [[termites]] as well as [[spider]]s. They rely on persistence and ambush to capture these prey. An individual perches on a branch and stays perfectly still, with only its eyes moving. When an insect lands, the chameleon focuses its eyes on the target and slowly moves toward it before projecting its long sticky tongue which, when hauled back, brings the attached prey with it. Geckos feed on [[Cricket (insect)|cricket]]s, beetles, termites and [[moth]]s.<ref name=Firefly/><ref name="Pianka-Vitt41"/>

Termites are an important part of the diets of some species of Autarchoglossa, since, as [[social insect]]s, they can be found in large numbers in one spot. [[Ant]]s may form a prominent part of the diet of some lizards, particularly among the lacertas.<ref name=Firefly/><ref name="Pianka-Vitt41"/> [[Horned lizard]]s are also well known for specializing on ants. Due to their small size and indigestible [[chitin]], ants must be consumed in large amounts, and ant-eating lizards have larger stomachs than even [[herbivorous]] ones.<ref>Pianka and Vitt, pp. 162.</ref> Species of skink and [[alligator lizard]]s eat [[snail]]s and their power jaws and molar-like teeth are adapted for breaking the shells.<ref name=Firefly>{{cite book |author1=Bauer, A. M. |author2=Kluge, A. G. |author3=Schuett, G. |year=2002 |contribution=Lizards |title=The Firefly Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians |editor=Halliday, T. |editor2=Adler, K. |publisher=Firefly Books |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fireflyencyclope0000unse_p6l7/page/139 139–169] |isbn=978-1-55297-613-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/fireflyencyclope0000unse_p6l7/page/139 }}</ref><ref name="Pianka-Vitt41"/>

[[File:Komodo Dragon Eating Rinca.jpg|thumb|left|Young Komodo dragon feeding on a [[water buffalo]] carcass]]
[[File:Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Galápagos Islands, Ecuador - foraging under water (5755672016).jpg|thumb|right|Marine iguana foraging under water at Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.]]
Larger species, such as monitor lizards, can feed on larger prey including fish, frogs, birds, mammals and other reptiles. Prey may be swallowed whole and torn into smaller pieces. Both bird and reptile eggs may also be consumed as well. Gila monsters and beaded lizards climb trees to reach both the eggs and young of birds. Despite being venomous, these species rely on their strong jaws to kill prey. Mammalian prey typically consists of [[rodent]]s and [[Leporidae|leporids]]; the Komodo dragon can kill prey as large as [[water buffalo]]. Dragons are prolific [[scavenger]]s, and a single decaying carcass can attract several from {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} away. A {{convert|50|kg|abbr=on}} dragon is capable of consuming a {{convert|31|kg|abbr=on}} carcass in 17 minutes.<ref name="Pianka-Vitt41">Pianka and Vitt, pp. 41–51.</ref>

Around 2 percent of lizard species, including many iguanids, are herbivores. Adults of these species eat plant parts like flowers, leaves, stems and fruit, while juveniles eat more insects. Plant parts can be hard to digest, and, as they get closer to adulthood, juvenile iguanas eat faeces from adults to acquire the [[intestinal flora|microflora]] necessary for their transition to a plant-based diet. Perhaps the most herbivorous species is the marine iguana which dives {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}} to forage for [[alga]]e, [[kelp]] and other marine plants. Some non-herbivorous species supplement their insect diet with fruit, which is easily digested.<ref name=Firefly/><ref name="Pianka-Vitt41"/>