Figure 6.1 is taken from [9]
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Lizards are territorial animals, but what each lizards considers “his territory” is different between species and individuals. Some defend a defined territory, while others have no set territorial space and only protect his current surroundings. The size of the their territories also vary.
Lizards also change how they defend their territory based on how far in an intruder has penetrated. For most lizards a major part of defending their territory involves making aggressive displays. It is only when intruders come near their actual shelter that the lizard engages in physical struggle of dominance (see figure 6.1). Lizards change their tactics as they age and their territory usually expands with age as they get more aggressive. Territorial behaviour is generally consistent throughout a species but may vary a little in each individual, this suggests that territorial behaviors are evolved. [9] Related species of lizards tend to exhibit similar territorial behaviours and new types of territorial and aggressive behaviors emerged due to the many ecological niches that lizards inhabit. |