To catch an anole

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. If you are trying to catch an anole, aka green lizard, don’t grab it by its tail. Lizards, domestic or even expensive exotic ones, have anatomical features that let them easily loose part of their tail. The fancy word is "caudal," meaning "tail autotomy." Autotomy, not "autonomy," means being able to lose a body part to a predator. In lizards, the tail can grow back. Sometimes the tail wiggles when released after a predator grabs it. A wiggling tail can distract the dog, or cat, or bird from going after the still-living part of the animal. There are websites about what to do and not do if your “pet” expensive exotic lizard loses its tail. Apparently, some people end up taking their animals to the vet, hoping the tail can be reattached; it can’t.