The funny thing about writing on a topic such as bizarre myths: as soon you write one post, the weird stories come flying at you like you’re a human myth-magnet. People love to share weird things they’ve heard, whether they are true or not.

So let’s look at the next myth, originating from Thailand: a lizard’s body will continue to live without his head. In fact, it doesn’t only continue to live, it will actually fight for… um, it’s life… Which is… technically not possible to save without a head… Anyway… Reportedly, when a lizard is under attack, the lizard’s body will resist being eaten. Even without a head, his paws will clamp, his legs will kick, his body will try to wriggle itself free… Could such a story be true?

The answer is: yes! Read the detailed report from an eye-witness that saw a cat eat a lizard and it’s body fight without head! When a lizard is under attack, it can drop it’s tail, which will move independently to distract the predator. This is called autotomy (auto = self, tomos = cut) and all lizards can do it. Not just Thai ones…

Originally posted 2008-11-26 06:30:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

You might be interested in

• Bizarre myths: chicken sweat as a medicine
• Japanese monkeys take a dip in hot-springs
• ‘Runaway bride’ gets engaged to 10 men, then takes off with their money
• Funniest Singaporean law suit: Kangaroo T-shirt can put you behind bars
• The appealing myth about Chinese Women (Part 2)