Tail detaches?!

[EasternGirl]

Do some lizards really detach their tails?

[angrygamer]

Do some lizards really detach their tails?

I know Blue Tail lizards do, and they grow them back. I kept a few as pets when I was a kid.

[ConcinusMan]

Do some lizards really detach their tails?

Yeah, like most of them. If you grab it, it comes off and the lizard escapes. The tail grows back, but not as nice as the original tail. North American skinks (and perhaps some others) can drop their tail even if you don't grab it.

I assure you, if you grab the tail of a ribbon snake, it will remain quite attached. If you grab a snake's tail and it comes off, it's not a snake. It's a legless lizard.

yeah, actually i think most lizard species will drop tails. whether or not they grow them back varies as does how quick they are to drop them. usually the prehensile-tailed ones are less likely to. i'm not sure if iguanids or monitors do at all though..

Monitors, iguanas, chameleons... those are three I can think of that do not have detachable tails. Grab that, and they'll just turn around bite you.

By the way, that "milk" thing is a myth. Any ice cold liquid will do, preferably clean water. It's the cold that preserves

[aquamentus_11]

By the way, that "milk" thing is a myth. Any ice cold liquid will do, preferably clean water. It's the cold that preserves

haha i know i was just giving marnie a hard time

[chris-uk]

Monitors, iguanas, chameleons... those are three I can think of that do not have detachable tails. Grab that, and they'll just turn around bite you.

If the larger guys dropped their tails it would be a great bush tucker trick - sneak up behind a goanna, shout "Boo", and pick up the tail to cook over the fire. Far easier than taking one down with a spiky stick.