Lizard Tail Autotomy
Tail autotomy is a common defense mechanism found in lizards (Bely & Nyberg, 2010; Hill et al., 2012; Russell et al., 2015). The autotomized tail will continue to twitch for up to 30 minutes due to the event of anaerobic metabolism (Dial & Fitzpatrick, 1983; Higham & Russell, 2010). This event will divert the attention of predator, giving a chance for the lizard to escape (Daniels, 1983). Even though autotomy may save their lives, lizards performing autotomy have to deal with the loss of tail vital functions in movement (Bateman & Fleming, 2009), establishing social status (Fox & McCoy, 2000; Meyer et al., 2002), and as fat-storage organ (Clark, 1971). Lizards which are using their tail to store fat most likely return to the site where they lost their tail and eat the autotomized tail to make up for the loss of the major fat reserve which comprises half or more total body fat (Congdon et al., 1974; Lin et al., 2006; Naya et al., 2007; Sanggaard et al., 2012). Moreov...