Editing Night lizard (section)

==Biology==

Night lizards were originally thought to be [[nocturnal]] because of their secretive lifestyle, but they are at least in some cases [[diurnal animal|diurnal]]. Night lizards have [[evolution|evolved]] to live in very narrow environmental niches—"microhabitat specialization"—such as rock crevices or damp logs, and may spend their entire life under the same cover.

Physically, night lizards are characterized by relatively flat bodies and heads. Their heads are covered by large, smooth plates, while their bodies have rougher, granular skin. Their eyes, like those of [[snakes]], are covered by immoveable, transparent membranes that function as eyelids.<ref name=EoR>{{cite book|editor=[[Harold Cogger|Cogger, H.G.]]|editor2=[[Richard G. Zweifel|Zweifel, R.G.]]|author=[[:fr:Aaron Matthew Bauer|Bauer, A.M.]]|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians|publisher=Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages=171–173|isbn=0-12-178560-2}}</ref> They feed on [[insectivore|insects]] and sometimes [[herbivore|plants]].

Contrary to the reproductive strategies of most small lizards, night lizards tend to have very low reproductive rates, with several species giving birth to only one or two offspring, after a gestation period of about three months.<ref name=EoR/> They generally take several years to reach [[sexual maturity]]. However, the covert lifestyle of night lizards has contributed to a high life expectancy.