Recent studies reveal that climate change is significantly impacting reptile behavior, particularly saltwater crocodiles and desert lizards. As temperatures rise, crocodiles face increased thermal limits, spending more time cooling off rather than engaging in vital activities such as feeding and reproduction. This shift affects their metabolism and oxygen consumption, leading to longer recovery times at the surface after diving. Similarly, desert lizards in Utah are adjusting their basking strategies in response to higher environmental temperatures, illustrating the pervasive effects of a warming planet on reptilian species.
Crocodiles experienced more days close to critical thermal limits, spending less time diving and more time cooling off due to increasing outdoor temperatures.
The increased time crocodiles spend cooling off suggests significant impacts on their daily activities, affecting travel, reproduction, and foraging.
Higher temperatures have raised crocodiles' metabolism, resulting in their inability to hold breath for as long and needing longer recovery times at the surface.
Desert lizards in Utah have altered their basking behaviors in response to rising environmental temperatures, highlighting the broader effects of climate change on reptiles.
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