Why do lizards run across the sidewalk right in front of me?

Wow, that does sound scary! You must live in an area where there are wild lizards. It would be a good idea to see how much you can learn about them if you are always in constant contact with them. Learning to understand their behavior will help you read them so you know what they are trying to communicate. I wonder if perhaps the lizards are warning you that where you tread is their territory? You know how dogs mark territories, but lizards may have a different way of claiming their space.

Another thought is that the lizards may actually be among the dominant individuals in their species. We all know that the animal kingdom has dominant leaders in each species.

There may be some lizard families living there, and you may even be in an area where a female has babies. You know how animals protect their young, and some species will warn you if you are too close to a nest.

We just never know until we are around them enough to learn something. What you can do is ask an exotic veterinarian or a pet store that handles lizards. You can learn a lot from them. People who handle lizards have a wealth of information if they have been doing so for quite a while.

A final thought: do you live in an area where bikes are not really allowed on sidewalks? If so, maybe this is a hint that you should ride on the street. Some areas do not allow bike riding on sidewalks; I have been in such areas that were posted. If lizards are always running out in front of you when you pass down the sidewalk, that may be why it is not advisable to ride bikes on the sidewalks in your area. If you happen not to stop in time, you could crash and possibly get hurt by the lizards that you fell over. Finally, you could also injure them if you hit them. You may be safer to just ride on the street anyway, whether or not your area has an ordinance against bikes on the sidewalk. Riding on the street is safer for you, the lizards, and all pedestrians. Keeping bikes on the street instead of the sidewalk means everyone wins, as everyone will be safe and happy.... Show More

Lizards have limited vision and a very limited capacity to reason and learn; their brains are not nearly as complex or developed as the human brain or any mammalian brain. As such, they are not equipped to comprehend faster-moving vehicles like bicycles or cars. This is simply outside the scope of their imagination and the threats they are programmed to predict.

This is why you do not see lizards leaping in front of you when you walk. They hear the vibrations of your footsteps (reptiles are quite sensitive to vibrations, which compensates for their poor eyesight) and know to stay back. However, when you are on a bicycle, which glides along without pounding the ground, they may zip out in front of you without comprehending the danger.

They truly are not trying to jump in front of you, nor to be threatening—they simply do not comprehend the risk. Lizards are, with only a couple of exceptions (none of which are native to Florida), non-venomous and gentle creatures. You are far more dangerous to them than they are to you.... Show More

I live in Florida, so lizards are everywhere, and the sidewalks are used regularly. It's strange how there are never-ending lizards jumping out in front of my bicycle. If I were to walk, I wouldn't see that. The area where I mostly ride my bicycle is my neighborhood.... Show More