Why do lizards lose their tails?

Answer 1

As a means of self-preservation. A predator can attack it, it can lose its tail and then regrow it. The predator will usually not attack the rest of the body once it has the tail, which continues to move for quite some time after being detached, allowing the lizard to get away.

Answer 2

A tail will often wiggle after it has come off to distract the attention of the predator so the lizard can escape. Lizards sometimes eat their own tail after they have shed it to regain weight from losing the tail. Some lizards store up to 60% of their body fat in their tail. A species of Skink can survive 35 days without food but may die in 24 days after losing its tail. It may take only a month for small lizards to regrow their tail but for larger lizards it can take a year. Geckos can live without food for 90 days but if they have lost their tails they may last only 50 days. Female lizards that have lost their tails produce fewer eggs because their body's energy is used to regrow their tail.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

It a defensive mechanism. If a predator attempts to eat a lizard and the lizard loses his tail the predator has a choice between a fleeing lizard or a easy tail.

Answer 5

it is a way of surrvial

if you cut it off

Answer 6

if u mean loose its tail then grow it back, no. only some reptiles and amphibians have that trait. no birds or mammals can grow back limbs/tails.

Answer 7

Mostly for balance.

Answer 8

to show it is happy