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Lizards are able to regenerate, or regrow, a body part. Many of them have evolved a special technique that makes their tail fall off and wiggle to attract a predator. This allows the lizard to escape and grow the tail back later. Another animal who does something similar is the octopus, which can shed an arm and grow it back later.

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16y ago
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5mo ago

Lizards can voluntarily detach their tails as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened by a predator. This behavior is called autotomy. The detached tail will continue to wriggle, distracting the predator while the lizard makes its escape. The tail will eventually regenerate, although the new tail may look different.

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14y ago

In some species, it is a defence mechanism - to allow the lizard to escape from predators. The tail usually grows back over time.

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8y ago

As protection from predators. If a predator were to grab its tail, the lizard could drop it and run away.

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Q: Why does a lizard's tail fall off?
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How lizards break their tail as a way to escape from enemies?

When threatened, some lizards can voluntarily detach their tail as a defense mechanism. The detached tail will continue to move, distracting the predator while the lizard can escape. The tail will eventually grow back, but the new tail is often shorter and lacks the functionality of the original tail.


Do lizard's tails fall off when they are scared?

Yes, some lizards can voluntarily detach their tails as a defense mechanism when they are threatened or scared. This behavior is called autotomy. The detached tail will continue to wiggle, distracting the predator while the lizard escapes. The tail will eventually regenerate, though the new one may look slightly different.


How long does it take for a dog tail to fall off with a rubber band on it?

It is not recommended to use a rubber band to dock a dog's tail as it is a painful and inhumane practice. In some cases, the tail may fall off due to loss of blood circulation, but this is not a safe or humane method of tail docking. It is advised to consult a veterinarian for safe and appropriate tail docking procedures, if necessary.


Which animal sheds its tail when attacked?

Some lizards (e.g. the Gecko) will do this.


Why do lizards lose their tails?

Lizards lose their tails as a defense mechanism called autotomy. When threatened, they can voluntarily detach their tails to distract predators and make an escape. The detached tail will continue to wriggle, convincing the predator that the lizard is still present while the lizard gets away.

Related questions

Why do lizards tail fall off?

When pulled by predators, lizards shed their tails in response. This self-amputation is called autotomy. ... Lizards aid the process by contracting muscles around the fracture planes. The pulling apart of the muscles causes the tail to fall off along the line of weakness


What animal when they walk their tails get shorter?

Lizards tail fall off as a defense mechanism to trick their prey


Dose a nile monitor lizards tail grow back if it has fell off?

no, not like someother species of lizards the nile monitor lizards tail doesn't grow back.


Why lizards do not fall while moving?

because they have sticky feets and they have a tail that gives them balance


How is a lizards tail falling off protect it?

Because it helps him/her get away if he/she is grabbed by the tail by a predator.


Do donkeys tails fall off?

No, a donkey's tail does not fall off. This is in reference to the animal. However, donkey tail plants do tend to fall off.


Can you do anything if lizards tail is cut off?

Let it grow back!!


What animal's tail breaks off when caught by a predator?

Lizards can lose their tail and regrow it if captured by a predator.


What does it mean when an igunana tail fall off?

howd it fall off


Do lizards tails grow back after they fall off?

Yes.


Can a robo dwarfs tail fall off?

A hamster's tail should never 'fall off' under any normal circumstance.


What will happen if you cut a lizards tail?

the tail with no heart will keep wiggling , but the lizards tail will grow back.