She carried out anexperimentwhere she applied a substance to the lizards skin to stop them from forming bubbles.
Lizard skin is hydrophobic, Swierk explains.
Typically, that allows air to stick very tightly to the skin and permits this bubble to form.
Rebreathing bubbles allow lizards to stay underwater longer.
Before, we suspected itwe saw a patternbut we didnt actually test if it served a functional role.
Swierks fascinating findings have led other researchers to look into the water anole and its clever survival mechanism.
Check outSwierks research here.
