The breathing organ of a lizard is its lungs.
How Lizards Breathe
Unlike amphibians, which can breathe through their skin and gills, lizards, as reptiles, rely solely on their lungs for respiration.
Reptilian Lungs: An Adaptation for Terrestrial Life
The reference states that "reptiles breathe air only through their lungs." These lungs are more sophisticated than those of amphibians, providing a larger surface area for gas exchange. This evolutionary adaptation is crucial for their terrestrial lifestyle. This more efficient gas exchange helps them thrive on land.
Key Characteristics of Lizard Lungs:
- Sole Respiratory Organ: Lungs are the only organ lizards use for breathing.
- Efficient Gas Exchange: Their lungs are structured to maximize gas exchange, allowing them to get the oxygen they need from the air.
- Adaptation to Land: The structure of reptile lungs is a key adaptation for life outside water.
Why Lungs are Important for Lizards
- Lizards are fully terrestrial animals, which means they cannot rely on any method of breathing that involves water. Their lungs allow them to extract oxygen directly from the air.
- The increased surface area of their lungs enables them to function in a range of environments.
