From mythology to movies, lizards have often been portrayed as scary reptiles. But they're not as dangerous as stories might lead you to believe. World Lizard Day is the perfect time to learn about these cold-blooded creatures. With more than 7,000 species, lizards have adapted to a wide range of environments—from deserts to rainforests. Take geckos—these little climbers have toe pads that let them scale walls and walk on ceilings. Then there are chameleons with their color-changing skin. While many think it's all about blending in, this ability is also used to communicate and regulate temperature.

Now let's focus on the peculiar creature in today's image, trekking across the arid landscape of Australia's Watarrka National Park. Meet the thorny devil, also known as the thorny dragon or moloch. With clever hydrophilic skin that channels moisture to its mouth, this reptile can hydrate just from the dew on its body. This allows it to thrive in extreme desert conditions where others would perish. On World Lizard Day, let's take a moment to appreciate these scaly wonders of the animal kingdom.