These lizards can breathe underwater thanks to air bubbles trapped on their skin
The bubbles simultaneously act as a scuba tank and gills to extend time under water.
An anol with rebreathing bubbles on its snout. Credit: Lindsey Swierk.
Anolis lizards are semi-aquatic creatures spanning the islands of the Caribbean, as well as Central and northern South America. They’re sometimes called chameleons by locals for their ability to change color from green to brown and vice versa. However, that’s not their most impressive feature. Anoles can stay submerged underwater for as long as 18 minutes, during their frequent dives in order to escape predators. A new study has now uncovered the biological mechanism that enables this remarkable ability.