Another problem is you don't feel the effect of those bonuses throughout the game. Like you will be happy with the + stats in the start but at level 20 for example you won't be like glad I picked a lizard so now I have + 2 int for example, while if the racial bonus was something else like an effect it would be useful throughout the game, and not lose its meaning afterwards. For example shed skin like someone else suggested, or anything that would make you feel like I am being a lizard/dwarf/elf etc
