# Lizards Use Nostril Bubbles to Breathe Underwater and Evade Predators
Pencil-long lizards known as water anoles have developed a unique survival strategy to evade their predators in the forests of Central and South America. These small reptiles, preyed on by birds, snakes, and other lizards, have evolved the ability to breathe underwater by forming bubbles on their nostrils when they plunge into streams to escape danger.
## Survival Tactics of Water Anoles
Living among rocks and plants near streams and waterfalls, water anoles face constant threats from predators, making their existence in the wild a precarious one. When traditional defense mechanisms like camouflage and fleeing fail, these lizards resort to diving into streams, where they remain submerged until the danger has passed.
Dr. Lindsey Swierk, a researcher from Binghamton University in New York, has been studying the behavior of water anoles and their unique adaptation to underwater survival. She explains, “We know that they can stay underwater for a really long time. We didn’t know whether there was actually any functional role for this bubble in respiration.”
## The Role of Nostril Bubbles in Underwater Breathing
When water anoles submerge themselves, they exhale to create a bubble that covers their nostrils. This bubble, combined with smaller bubbles naturally formed on the lizard’s water-repellent skin, enhances the amount of oxygen available for breathing underwater. Dr. Swierk conducted experiments to determine the significance of these bubbles in the lizards’ ability to stay submerged.
In her study published in Biology Letters, Dr. Swierk found that water anoles stayed underwater 32% longer when their bubbles were not disrupted by moisturizer applied to their skin. This indicates that the bubbles play a crucial role in facilitating respiration and increasing the lizards’ survival chances underwater. While the study observed only a few minutes of submersion, water anoles in their natural habitat can remain underwater for up to 20 minutes.
## The Desperate Escape of Water Anoles
Water anoles are often referred to as “the chicken nuggets of the forest” due to their high predation rate. When faced with a predator, these lizards first freeze in hopes of blending in with their surroundings. If the threat persists, they may attempt to flee to the safety of a rock crevice. Diving into streams is considered a last resort for these creatures, as it can lower their body temperature and reduce their agility.
Despite the risks associated with diving, water anoles have found it to be the most effective means of escaping human observers like researchers. Once underwater, they become nearly invisible to the naked eye, blending seamlessly with the flowing stream surface.
# Conclusion
In conclusion, the remarkable ability of water anoles to breathe underwater using nostril bubbles highlights the incredible adaptations that animals develop to survive in harsh environments. Through careful observation and scientific research, Dr. Lindsey Swierk and her team have shed light on the intricate mechanisms that allow these lizards to evade predators and thrive in their natural habitat. The study of water anoles serves as a reminder of the resilience and ingenuity of life forms in the face of adversity.