Cold-blooded animals, like reptiles, rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature. That’s why you often see lizards soaking up the sun or snakes hibernating when it gets cold. But with our planet warming, how are these reptiles coping?
A recent study in Current Biology looked at saltwater crocodiles and how rising temperatures are affecting their behavior. Researchers found that as it gets hotter outside, these crocodiles spend less time diving and more time cooling off in the water. They get too hot too quickly, which means they stay near the surface longer than before.
Kaitlin Barham, the study’s lead author, explained, “Crocodiles struggled to hold their breath for long periods. Higher temperatures speed up their metabolism, making them use more oxygen.” Because of this, they have less time for other important activities like traveling, reproducing, and searching for food. This change could have serious consequences for crocodile populations.
It’s not just crocodiles feeling the heat. A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports explored how lizards are also adapting to higher temperatures. Researchers at the University of Toledo found that desert lizards in Utah have changed their basking habits to stay cooler. As temperatures continue to rise, more studies will likely focus on how reptiles are adjusting to their increasingly warm environments.
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