Do Lizards have Green Blood
Hello Friends, We have all seen lizards in our lives. Skinks, like other reptiles, are ectothermic, meaning they depend on external heat sources to manage their body temperature. To warm up, they bask in the sun, and to cool down, they retreat to shaded areas. But there are some five species of lizards known as Skink which are unique in their own way.
Five species of skink live in new guinea have blood that is green in colour. And the strange thing is The skinks bones, muscles tissues, tongue and lining of the mouth are also green!
We know that In humans iron gives the blood cells their red colour. In octopuses, lobster and horseshoe crabs copper makes the blood look blue.
Some marine worms have violet blood.
But wait, the skinks have blood cells that are actually red! Strange but true so what is its blood green in colour.The green colour is caused by extremely high levels of a pigment called biliverdin.Biliverdin and bilirubin, a yellow pigment, are produced when our body recycle the iron contained in red blood cells when they die.
Both are toxic and the blood is filtered by the liver to remove them. However, the lizard’s blood contains so much biliverdin more than 20 times the human level that it completely over powers the normal red of their haemoglobin.Though it can be fatal, the lizards are mysteriously thriving!
Fun Facts About Reptiles: Do Lizards Have Green Blood?
Lizards, like many reptiles, are fascinating creatures with a wide variety of adaptations and unique characteristics. One intriguing question that often comes up is: Do lizards have green blood? The answer is yes, but only for a few specific species!
Green Blood in Lizards
Some species of lizards, notably the green-blooded lizards (Prasinohaema), found in New Guinea, actually do have green blood. This unusual color comes from high levels of biliverdin, a green bile pigment that is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. Most animals have bilirubin, which gives blood a red color, but in these lizards, the high concentration of biliverdin turns their blood green. Interestingly, this green blood is not harmful to the lizards—it helps them avoid some types of parasites and might provide some other unknown benefits related to their environment.
Why Is Lizards’ Blood Green?
The green blood of these lizards is a result of their biological makeup. In many vertebrates, the breakdown of red blood cells produces bilirubin, which is processed in the liver and excreted. However, in green-blooded lizards, the biliverdin accumulates in their blood, tissues, and organs, including their muscles and bones, which gives them a greenish hue. This is believed to be a form of defensive adaptation, possibly deterring certain types of parasites that thrive in normal blood chemistry.
Other Fun Facts About Lizards:
- Lizards Can Regrow Tails: Many species of lizards, like the common gecko, can shed and regrow their tails. This ability is a defense mechanism to escape predators. The tail breaks off at a designated weak point and continues to wiggle, distracting the predator while the lizard makes its escape.
- Lizards Have Incredible Vision: Many lizards, such as the chameleons, can move each eye independently, giving them a nearly 360-degree field of vision. This helps them spot predators and prey more efficiently.
- Lizards Can Change Color: While chameleons are the most famous color-changing lizards, others, like the Anole, can also change their color based on temperature, mood, or to blend in with their surroundings.
- Lizards Have a Wide Range of Sizes: Lizards come in a variety of sizes, from the tiny gecko, which can be just a few centimeters long, to the Komodo dragon, which can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weigh over 150 pounds.
- Some Lizards Are Poisonous: While most lizards are harmless, some species, like the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard, are venomous. These lizards can deliver a painful bite with venom that can cause swelling and even death in some cases.
In conclusion, while most lizards have typical red blood, the green-blooded lizards of New Guinea are a fascinating exception, showing how diverse and adaptable reptiles can be. Whether they’re changing color, growing back their tails, or thriving with green blood, lizards continue to amaze scientists and animal lovers alike.