News Life

Learnin’ lizards

Underappreciated reptiles can cope when the old rules change

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Lizards everywhere may be scampering a little taller now that an Anolis species from tropical tree canopies has passed tests for behavioral flexibility.

CHOICES, CHOICES In a lab test of mental flexibility, an Anolis lizard needs to select the round plastic lid of the correct color — which researchers may have switched — and then dislodge the lid to get a treat of freshly killed fly larva.