Autotomy Official

Rapid muscle contractions at the fracture site facilitate the break and provide immediate hemostasis (blood flow control).

Discarded parts, such as lizard tails, often continue to writhe for up to 30 minutes to distract the predator. 🦀 Common Examples autotomy

The break occurs across a specific vertebra (common in most lizards). Rapid muscle contractions at the fracture site facilitate

The break occurs between two vertebrae (found in a minority of reptiles). such as lizard tails

Autotomy is a biological defense mechanism where an animal voluntarily sheds or discards a body part to escape a predator or avoid further injury. 🦎 Biological Mechanism