Comments on: Running dragon lizards do wheelies

By: Gilbride

Gilbride — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:45:01 +0000

“This suggests that some lizards are actively opting for a two-legged gait, presumably because it affords them some sort of advantage. But if that’s not speed or endurance, what is it? For the moment, no one knows.”
Perhaps changing the profile the predator perceives? A predator may be momentarily confused be the switch from lizard-on-all-fours to taking-off-like-a-rocket-on-2-legs. Predator: I’m creeping up on a juicy lizard. Wait. Where did it go? Oh, it’s running two! Charge!
Additionally, most predators gauge there ability to catch prey at the start of a chase. The lizard may be giving the appearance of prey that can maintain high speed based on its acceleration.
Given that the lizards can reach top speed faster, combined with a predator confusion delay, the choice of bipedalism seems more obvious.
BTW, shouldn’t the lizard in the film be running away from the lens, not toward it if were fleeing a perceived threat?

By: JH

JH — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:51:53 +0000

As they’re ectotherms, tiring them out doesn’t take long; probably just a few runs. And it would take them a long time to recover their stamina (lactic acid buildup etc).
A similar study was published a while ago, although this one has some new aspects of course:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1693243

By: Colin Bartlett

Colin Bartlett — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:02:03 +0000

“managed to acquire three reddening dragons (Ctenophorus rubens), a species so rare that it’s only known to live in a single Western Australian cattle station. The lizards were filmed with a high-speed camera as they ran on a steady treadmill until they were too exhausted to carry on.”
Am I the only one concerned by this statement?
On the other hand, it IS pretty keen that we have that kind of data on such an obscure species…

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:15:52 +0000

That reminds me of a funny story. When my brother was young, he was too fat to do wheelies. Hilarious!!!

By: Becca

Becca — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:38:44 +0000

That was good for a smile (I love lizards).
You always pick cool papers!

By: speedwell

speedwell — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:49:39 +0000

Fun? (heh)