Why tail lizards change color?

The striking tail of the blue-tailed lizard will gradually fade with time. It is the result of a change in feeding behavior in juveniles compared to adults.

(Photo: africaguide.com) Teenage lizards actively seek food, causing them to face many dangers from stalking predators. By drawing attention to the showy tail, the lizard can guide the attack on this appendage and the tail can regrow itself if it breaks. Later on, as the lizards grow less, they will eat less, so the attention-grabbing trick will also lose its effect.

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University in Israel observed green-tailed lizards in their 1-year lifespan. When newly hatched, the lizard has a bright blue tail, when it is 3 weeks old, 85% lose that vivid color and streaks on the body.

The main enemies of the lizard in the area are gray cypress birds, prey from tree branches and very sensitive to colors.

To survive, the new large lizards use two ways to show off their tails - shaking fast and winding slowly. Because the children are more active, they are more likely to encounter predators. So the tail show will be an effective rescue tool.

When 3 weeks old, lizards work less, they just sit and wait for their prey. Then they easily recognize the enemy and escape.

(Photo: princeton.edu)

MT