Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, why do the lizard`s tail go on moving when it is amputated ?, i would like to know it, thank very much.

Well I can't give you a detailed answer for it, but almost all living things are capable of this happening when they die or are dismemberd.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Maroantsetra Panther Chameleons
1.0 Long Tailed Grass Lizard
500 Escaped Crickets

The main reason for a tail to continue moving is for the animal's protection.
When tail autonomy occurs in many species of lizards it's usually for survival purposes. For example, When a lizard in which this occurs is chased by a predator whether it be another larger lizard, a bird of prey or even a bobcat etc, and the predator isn't fast enough to catch the main body of the lizard as it's fleeing for it's life, their tail can easily disengage (when it has been snagged,bitten or caught by the hunter) at most any of the vertebrae's tail joints. This is a common occurrence in nature and really offers the lucky lizard a second chance so to speak. The tail which is dropped continues to wiggle and more often than not attracts the hunter to it as the tailless lizard is able to escape into a crevice, a hole or under a bush for protection.
This also happens when they're in captivity. You can try to catch some of these quick/flighty lizards only to end up grabbing them by their tails and often the tails will disengage (tear free) and continue to wiggle for several minutes. Most of these species that do this will regenerate their tails in a few months with no ill effect and quite often grow a full tail back.

John

I can answer why it still wiggles. Its the nerves. Like when a human arm is cut off or when an animal-including humans- dies even after death the body can still move. It has to do with electrical impulses going thru the tail.

Sounds good to me. I was merely touching on the natural/survival reasons and you came up with a great scientific/medical reason for movement. I guess you might say we now have our tails covered ... lol.

If I were an adult I could probably give you a more indepth explaination but untill then thats my answer.