Farting is not limited to humans and other mammals. In fact, most animals that have a digestive system produce gas as a byproduct of digestion. This includes birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even insects.
Flatulence, or passing gas, is a natural bodily function that occurs in most animals, including reptiles such as snakes and lizards.
While the process of farting in lizards may differ from mammals, it is a common occurrence in the animal kingdom.
Why lizards fart
The process of digestion in lizards involves the breakdown of food by bacteria in the gut.
These bacteria produce gas as a byproduct of their metabolic processes.
This gas accumulates in the digestive tract and is eventually expelled through the rectum, a process commonly known as farting.
Lizards, in particular, have been found to produce methane as a byproduct of their digestive process.
The composition – and smell – of lizard flatulence can vary depending on their diet, with some species producing a combination of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
Interestingly, some species of geckos are even known to fart as a form of mechanism against predators.
The South-western Spiny-Tailed Gecko/Lizard (Strophurus spinigerus) squirts a harmless albeit rather smelly fluid from pores along the top of its tail to repel predators such as snakes.
What species of lizards fart?
Most species of lizards have been observed passing gas, including skinks, blue tongue skinks, leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and iguanas.
Need some evidence? Here’s some videos of lizards passing gas:
1. Iguana
2. Bearded Dragon
3. Savannah Monitor
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