2.11 - The Hearing of Lizards and Snakes

The huge structural variety in lepidosaurs ears is unique and results in substantial functional differences. The simple epithelia of snakes are restricted to low frequencies. Each lizard family has a characteristic hearing organ structure, with the largest variety in the number of hair cells and the type of tectorial membrane. Whereas the nocturnal geckos have highly sensitive and frequency selective hearing, diurnal lizard family hearing varies greatly, from poor to excellent, rivaling that of birds and mammals over the same frequency ranges.