News in Brief Animals

Tegu lizards warm up for mating

New data and thermal imagery (shown, yellow indicates higher temperatures) suggest that tegu lizards can generate their own body heat.

 

GLENN J. TATTERSALL

By Helen Thompson

- More than 2 years ago

Despite their cold-blooded reputation, tegu lizards boost their body heat while on the prowl for a mate, biologists report online January 22 in Science Advances.

Like other ectotherms, tegu lizards (Salvator merianae) in South America draw heat from their environment, sunning themselves in spring and summer and hibernating in autumn and winter.