Observation of Behavior

I observed an Ornate Tree Lizard that I found along my back yard fence. I noticed that these lizards run very fast along the fence when they are approached, which made me think about two things: they are hard to photograph and I have no idea how I caught them when I was younger. This lizard spent most of my observation time perching on either the side or the top of the fence. back flat with hear sticking up in the air, sitting in the sun. Once the lizard poked at a leaf, not sure if it was to eat or not. Mostly, if perched on the fence and pushed its front legs up and down (similar to a push up motion) while sitting in the sun, or moving to a new location.

Function: Lizards are coldblooded reptiles, and spend time sunning themselves to increase their body heat.
Causation: I think the sun would be the stimuli for the lizard.
Development: I am inclined to think that this is an instinctual behavior because it is so prevalent against reptiles, perhaps those that do not sun are those that do not survive.
My explanation for evolutionary history is similar to that of development, I cannot think of something that would distinguish the two.

Posted on 15 de abril de 2020, 01:32 AM by lillianniccum