Costa Rica is home to thousands of unique animal species, many of which captivate scientists from around the world. Among these fascinating creatures is the anole lizard, a small, semi-aquatic reptile found in the country’s lush rainforests.
Recently, groundbreaking research conducted by Lindsey Swierk, an assistant research professor of biological sciences at Binghamton University in New York, has shed light on the remarkable underwater abilities of these little critters, often referred to as “diving lizards.” Swierk's studies reveal surprising insights about how these lizards evaded their predators and thrive underwater.
The show-stopping talent of the anole lizard lies not just in its colors and curious nature but rather, its remarkable survival techniques. When facing threats from predatory animals such as birds and snakes, these lizards adopt strategies befitting seasoned divers: they plunge underwater, creating air bubbles atop their heads, which act as makeshift helmets. This ingenious maneuver allows them to stay submerged for extended periods, rendering them virtually undetectable to lurking predators.
“Diving underwater and remaining there for a long time is an anti-predator strategy for water anoles. These lizards aren’t particularly speedy, and taking to the water is very effective,” explained Dr. Swierk. By hiding underwater, they drastically reduce their chances of being spotted and caught.
Dr. Swierk’s research efforts not only capture these behaviors on video but also explore the science behind them. She first witnessed this exceptional adaptation during her strolls along mountain streams dotted across Costa Rica, observing these lizards cloak themselves underwater for surprisingly long spells.
Her findings, published in the Biology Letters, claim the lizard’s bubble may allow it to continue to extract oxygen during its underwater escapade. Swierk theorizes the lizards can trap additional air pockets around their heads and throats, which may enable them to keep refreshing and exchanging the air within their makeshift bubble—similar to how scuba divers operate.
But the science doesn’t stop there. Dr. Swierk conducted controlled experiments to determine whether the bubble was merely accidental or if it played a significant role in respiration. She tested two groups of lizards: one trained to form bubbles and another with their bubble-producing ability impaired due to the application of a substance on the skin. The differences were astounding; the control group, capable of producing bubbles, could stay underwater 32% longer than their impaired counterparts.
