News Animals

Lizard push-ups grab attention

Onlookers more likely to get a message that is preceded by a little exercise

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

May I have your attention, please?

ROBO-LIZARD A precisely programmed lizard robot grabs real lizards’ attention as it performs three push-ups. After the robo-lizard has everyone’s attention, it launches into its real message of head bobs and dewlap inflation to claim its territory.

The lizard species Anolis gundlachi performs eye-catching push-ups to get the attention of nearby lizards, shows a study appearing online November 24 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.