If you’ve ever observed lizards, you may have noticed that some species do push-ups. While it may look like a simple exercise, some researchers believe that push-ups may actually be a form of communication among lizards.
In many lizard species, males will do push-ups to show off their dominance and attract mates. The number of push-ups and the speed at which they’re done can indicate the male’s fitness and strength to potential mates. The push-ups can also be a territorial display, signaling to other males to stay away.
Some species of lizards also do push-ups as a form of self-defense. When threatened, lizards may do push-ups to show their aggression and warn predators to stay away.
While push-ups are not the only way that lizards communicate, they are certainly an important part of their behavioral repertoire. In addition to push-ups, lizards use a variety of visual and chemical cues to communicate with one another.
In conclusion, while it may seem like lizards are just doing push-ups for exercise, these movements may actually be an important form of communication for many species. Whether it’s a way to attract mates, assert dominance, or defend themselves, push-ups are just one of the many fascinating ways that lizards communicate with one another.