Some lizards have a unique way of staying underwater for longer periods by blowing out and then breathing back in bubbles of air. This behavior was first observed in Costa Rica in 2015 by Lindsey Swierk from Binghamton University in New York State. She noticed a type of lizard called Anolis aquaticus diving into streams and staying submerged for extended periods.
Further research revealed that at least 18 species of Anolis lizards exhibit this bubble rebreathing behavior underwater, allowing them to stay submerged for up to 18 minutes. These lizards have water-repellent skin that retains a layer of air underwater, giving them a shiny appearance. By blowing out and re-inhaling bubbles, they can access more oxygen and potentially remove carbon dioxide.
In a recent study, Swierk applied a moisturizer to the lizards’ skin to temporarily disrupt their water-repellent properties. The results showed that lizards with plain water on their skin could stay underwater 32% longer than those with the moisturizer.
This unique behavior is believed to help the lizards extract more oxygen from the air bubbles they rebreathe. The bubbles may act as a makeshift scuba tank, allowing them to survive underwater for extended periods.
Other animals, like the star-nosed mole and water shrew, also exhibit similar bubble rebreathing behavior underwater, but for different purposes.
Topics: Underwater Behavior of Lizards, Bubble Rebreathing, Oxygen Extraction
Vocabulary List:
- Submerged /səbˈmɜrdʒd/ (adjective): Completely covered or hidden under a liquid.
- Behavior /bɪˈheɪvjər/ (noun): The way in which an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation.
- Oxygen /ˈɒksɪdʒən/ (noun): A chemical element essential for life commonly found in the air.
- Repellent /rɪˈpɛlənt/ (adjective): Having the ability to repel or resist moisture or other substances.
- Extract /ɪkˈstrækt/ (verb): To remove or obtain something from a source.
- Scuba /ˈskuːbə/ (noun): A system for staying underwater that uses a tank of air.
How much do you know?
Where was the unique underwater behavior of lizards first observed?
How many species of <em>Anolis</em> lizards have been found to exhibit bubble rebreathing behavior underwater?
What was the purpose of applying moisturizer to the lizards' skin in the recent study?
How long can the <em>Anolis</em> lizards stay submerged underwater due to their bubble rebreathing behavior?
What is the believed purpose of the bubbles in aiding the lizards' survival underwater?
Which other animals exhibit similar bubble rebreathing behavior underwater as mentioned in the text?