Why is it that lizards seem to go into a semi-catotonic state when you lay them on their backs?
2007-05-24 09:40:45 · 5 answers · asked by imaginethat995 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
when you put them on their backs, they have no defense at all and their soft bellies are exposed. So as a lot of reptiles do, they pretend to be dead, because hunters do not eat carcasses. It's an innate defense mechanism to avoid depredation.
2007-05-24 09:44:21 · answer #1 · answered by pogonoforo 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Another thing to take into consideration along with breathing difficulty is that unlike mammals, the blood supply to a reptile's brain parallels the spine, on the back of the neck rather than the front. Lay any reptile on it's back (amphibians as well, you can put frogs and toads to sleep the same way) and it will black out, do you -really- believe it's the belly-rubbing that puts alligators to sleep?
2007-05-24 19:07:57 · answer #2 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are having a hard time breathing. its not a defense mechanism. lizards dont have a diaphragm like most animals. There lungs expand and contract from moving there ribs in and out. when you turn them on there back they cant do this too well do they are slowly suffocating. Please dont do this to your lizard.
2007-05-24 17:27:57 · answer #3 · answered by me 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The first person was right, it is a defense mechanism.
2007-05-24 17:10:18 · answer #4 · answered by xXCrystalXx 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
really ? i'll have to try that ..
i caught one the other day too ..
2007-05-24 17:07:06 · answer #5 · answered by nola_cajun 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋