Learning Lizard Bandana
Attempt interspecies communication with a fence lizard with this handy hiker's bandana.
BACKGROUND: Sceloporus lizards (also known as Western Fence lizards, or blue-bellies) communicate with one another using physical gestures, along with pheromones secreted from their thighs. Biologist Dr. Emilia Martins uses lizard robots to study the unique, species-specific patterns of head-bob movements that fence lizards use to communicate with one another. In the process of working with lizards in the field, Martins has learned that fence lizards will respond with species-identification displays to finger bob movements that correctly mimic their distinctive head-bob patterns.
INSTRUCTIONS: Find a fence lizard. Bob your finger in a rapid up and down motion, following the graph at the top of the bandana.
The horizontal axis = duration, the vertical axis = height of the head at the top of the movement.