Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently acquired a pair of baby american horned lizards. when feeding them, i noticed that they would perform the same "tail wagging" behavior that is commonly seen in leopard geckos when stalking food. it seems substantial that two geographically isolated, unrelated lizards sharing similar niches would display similar behaviors, suggesting that those behaviors are evolutionarily selected. does any one have an explaination for this behavior that would explain the similarity? i am familiar with the explaination that tailwagging signifies territoriality and aggression, but why would two lizards on opposite sides of the globe independandly develop the same gesture? i am puzzled. help me out.

thanks-
-kyle
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Im going to go out on a limb but maybe it has to do with territorality and aggression hah just kidding. but seriously this may be your answer.

Of all the species of lizard in the world, I wouldn't think it would be unlikely that two animals on either side of the globe just so happened to share the same behavior. Though I do believe that it is a trait to be learned, unlike species than can shoot blood from their eyes or what have you, but the manner of learning the behavior would simply not make sense given the distance between them. It's like in snakes, rattlesnakes will rattle the end of their tail to scare off a potential predator, yet a desert kingsnake I used to have did the same, like in the manner of a male leo ready to breed. It would also shake it's tail before striking. Easily stated though, I think it is just coincidence, yet it was a clever observation on your behalf. But who knows? I am a strong believer in evolution and believe that anything is possible.
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Ten million dollars on a losing campaign, Twenty million starving and writhing in pain, Big strong people unwilling to give, strong in vision and perspective, One in five kids below the poverty line, One population running out of time...

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1.5.0 Leopard Geckos
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I think it is caused my a moment of high excitement. Only my younger leos do the tail wag when eating. But I've heard of older ones doing it right before mating too... so excitement could have a lot to do with it. I figure that if it were territorial, or defensive, they'd do it if I stuck my hand in the tank.

Kev
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Kev
1.1.0 Tang Leopard Geckos: Marley, Mary
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