Pronunciation: [lˈɪzədz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "lizards" follows the common pattern of adding the suffix "-s" to the end of the word to indicate plural form. IPA phonetic transcription for the word "lizards" is /ˈlɪz.ərdz/. The stress in the word falls on the first syllable "Liz," which is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by the "z" sound. The second syllable "-ardz" also contains a short "i" sound followed by the voiced consonant sound "dz."
Lizards are a group of reptiles that belong to the order Squamata and the suborder Lacertilia. They are cold-blooded vertebrates, characterized by their elongated bodies, scaly skin, and four legs. Lizards are widely distributed across the globe, inhabiting various ecosystems from deserts and forests to grasslands and wetlands.
These creatures come in a diverse range of sizes, with some species being as small as a few centimeters in length, while others can grow up to several meters. Their body structure typically consists of a distinct head, a slender tail that can be easily shed and regenerated, and well-developed limbs that enable them to move swiftly and climb surfaces.
Lizards display an enormous variety in coloration and patterns, often serving as camouflage for their surroundings. They have keen eyesight and are known for their ability to adapt to different environments, as well as their predatory nature. Although most species are insectivorous, lizards can also feed on small mammals, birds, eggs, and even plants.
One notable characteristic of lizards is their ability to regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or seeking shade as needed. They reproduce through internal fertilization, with females typically laying soft-shelled eggs that hatch into miniature versions of adult lizards.
Lizards have captured human interest for centuries and have become commonly kept as pets due to their small size and relatively low maintenance requirements. They also hold ecological importance as natural pest control agents, helping to control populations of insects and other small animals.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lizards" derives from the Middle English term "lesarde", which came from Old French "lesarde" or "lesart". Eventually, these forms originated from the Latin word "lacertus", meaning "a lizard". The Latin term likely descended from an earlier Indo-European root word.
