We’ll get right to it: reptiles are cool, but they’re also super weird. Now that we probably have your full attention, let’s dive into our weird, wacky, and wonderful weptile, sorry, reptile facts.
Geckos can just panic and detach their tails. Okay, well, kinda. If a gecko is under a lot of stress trying to get away from a predator and it’s tried everything, it can simply detach its tail, confuse the heck out of the predator, and simply run away. And no, this doesn’t cause pair nor does it cause an excessive amount of blood loss, geckos are just kind of designed to be able to do this. And while their tails do grow back, they have a tendency to grow back a little crooked.
(image via: petmd)
Reptiles aren’t super bright. They aren’t not bright, but about on par with what you probably think. While they’re smarter than fish, they’re more on the same level as birds, but significantly, err, less smart than the average mammal. In fact, when it comes to the size of their brains in comparison to the rest of their bodies, is about one-tenth of what you would find in cats and hedgehogs.
Who went to the moon first, a tortoise or a human? If you guessed tortoise you’re right on the money. In September of 1968 a spacecraft, known as Zond 5, was released by the Soviets, and on this spacecraft were two tortoises, insects, and plants. This spacecraft was the second to orbit the moon, and the first to return to Earth safely. Personally, we would love to see the footage of tortoises, insects, and plants in zero-gravity.
(image via: nasa)
Reptiles exhibit something known as TDSD or temperature-dependent sex determination. This means that the temperature outside of the egg during development can determine a hatchling’s sex.
Bearded dragons have the ability to turn black and for good reason. You know how in the winter we wear darker clothes to stay warm? Well, bearded dragons do this, in a way, at night when their back turns darker to retain heat and stay warm. Then during the day, you’ll notice that their backs are lighter to keep them cooler, again, much like when we wear lighter clothes when it’s warm out.
(image via: zilla rules)
Speaking of reptiles that change colors, chameleons change colors as well. And while some may think it’s for camouflaging purposes, they actually change colors to convey their mood much like a mood ring. If they’re feeling calm they’ll be on the pale side, where if they’re in defense mode, they’ll be darker in color, and when they appear bright they’re just trying to attract a mate.