Describe how today's lizards are thought to be like and different from many dinosaurs?

Today's lizards are thought to be similar to many dinosaurs in their body structure and functioning, as both groups are reptiles with scaly skin, ectothermic (cold-blooded) metabolism, and similar reproductive strategies. However, lizards are generally smaller, have more diverse diets, and exhibit a wider range of locomotion compared to many dinosaurs, which included large, dominant species with varied adaptations for different environments. Additionally, lizards are more adaptable to varied habitats, while many dinosaurs were specialized for specific ecological niches. Evolutionarily, lizards are considered a part of the archosaur lineage that diverged from the ancestors of dinosaurs, highlighting both a shared heritage and distinct evolutionary paths.