„A semiaquatic lizard, the diving anole, uses a head bubble to breathe underwater, evading land predators.” (Page 4 ) | September 20, 2024

Diving anoles aren’t fast runners and rely mostly on camouflage to hide from predators such as birds, snakes, mammals and other lizards. And when camouflage fails, waiting out a threat underwater is an effective survival strategy, Swierk said.

‘A fascinating behavior’

Trapping air in bubbles to breathe in water is practiced by some types of insects and arachnids, such as water beetles and diving bell spiders. So far, anoles are the only animals with backbones that are known to breathe using bubbles.

“This is such a fascinating behavior in lizards,” said Dr. Earyn McGee, a herpetologist specializing in lizards and coordinator of conservation engagement at the Los Angeles Zoo. “This kind of research will add to our understanding of how these lizards and potentially other animals evolved their underwater breathing techniques.”

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