Two Tailed Lizard!

[Atlascaproni]

Recently, while searching for snakes at a river nearby my house, I found a lizard with two tails. This rare animal wasn't born that way. In lizards that shed their tails, like the green anole I found, the animal is born with one tail. When attacked, the lizard drops its first tail and escapes the predator. While it is regrowing, the critter gets attacked again, this time losing a mere piece of the regenerating tail. While the first tail continues to grow, a second one sprouts from it.

See the one I found in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f5jxczcbP4
Note: The one I found had tails that were vertical to each other, but they can also branch off sideways.

[goosey]

That was a lucky find Atlas . I knew lizards could regrow their tails but never realised it was possible for them to have two at the same time - great explanation by the way!
He was probably feeling pretty lucky himself with 2 close escapes and 2 tales then he met you
Nice to see you back on the forum again - you have been quiet lately .

[paul m]

I think Atlas has been out watching nature outdoors - far better than writing about it indoors!

I'm intrigued to know whether the two-tailed lizard has control over both tails. In appropriate animals many tissues can regenerate but nerves only do that uncommonly .... or maybe not.

Interesting observation anyway.

Originally Posted by goosey

That was a lucky find Atlas . I knew lizards could regrow their tails but never realised it was possible for them to have two at the same time - great explanation by the way!
He was probably feeling pretty lucky himself with 2 close escapes and 2 tales then he met you
Nice to see you back on the forum again - you have been quiet lately .