A new study led by researchers at the University of Melbourne has revealed that being too fast may actually put central bearded dragons at greater risk of predation.
Contrary to common assumptions about animal survival, the study found that lizards with higher speeds had increased mortality rates.
The year-long research involved fitting bearded dragons in their natural habitat with tiny high-tech backpacks equipped with accelerometers and temperature-sensing radio transmitters.
These devices helped monitor the lizards’ body temperature and movement, offering new insights into their behaviour and survival strategies.
Like other reptiles, central bearded dragons depend on external heat sources to regulate body temperature, which is essential for growth, digestion, and reproduction.
Dr. Kristoffer Wild, the lead researcher, said the study confirmed that bearded dragons are experts at behavioural thermoregulation, moving strategically between sun and shade based on temperature.
The research analyzed how body temperature influenced peak running speed and how speed affected the dragons’ survival outcomes.
The findings, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, showed that faster lizards faced a higher risk of death, especially during spring mating season.
“We believe speedy lizards are more exposed to predators like birds and cats because they move around more frequently and openly,” Dr. Wild explained.
The study emphasizes that what is observed in laboratory conditions doesn’t always reflect real-world ecological dynamics.
It highlights the complex relationship between physiology, behaviour, predation risk, and environmental changes in shaping animal survival in the wild.
