Push-ups are performed by lizards for a variety of reasons.  

But the most prevalent one is for males to demonstrate strength and draw attention, particularly when wooing a female lizard. They also do push-ups to protect their territory.

Why Do Lizards Do Push-up? 

There is a number of reasons. Let us look at the reasons one by one.

To Impress Female Lizards:

In particular, most males take positions and do pushups to attract females. The western aviary lizard is a special species that also exhibit this behavior. Close relatives of this lizard have unique defenses against predators such as snakes, hawks, and coyotes. 

Some of these lizards can be difficult to identify because they can vary in appearance, have irregular patterns, and are often grey or brown. 

Claiming Territory: 

Some lizards may even do this when they want someone else to leave their territory. Lizards often follow push-ups with a head movement, displaying personal strength and transmitting a territorial message to other lizards.  

Seeking Attention: 

In the highlands of Puerto Rico, the Anole lizard has implemented a simple method for attracting the attention of many other lizards. Four male Jamaican lizards, called anoles, are greeted every sunrise with the threat of vigorous bending, head movement, and colorful neck flaps. 

A new study found that some lizards turned the screen into a routine sooner or later. Anoles are known for his performances of push-ups, moving his head up and down, and unfolding multi-color headrests. 

It is not uncommon to see them sitting on a rock doing things that can only be described as push-ups. Such practitioners usually perform push-ups on soft floors or rolled towels, while martial artists can perform push-ups with bare joints on hard floors. 

It’s Mating Time:

Push-ups are performed by lizards for a variety of reasons. But they are most commonly used by males to exhibit strength and determination to draw attention, specifically when approaching a female lizard.

During the mating season, male lizards must compete for the attention of female lizards, and push-ups provide certain males with the leverage they require. Many male lizards include push-ups as part of their mating ritual to show the females how strong they are. 

In some lizards, such as the western aviary lizard, also called the blue belly, push-ups allow the man to show his blue belly to the women to impress them. Their bright blue color is shown in these push-ups, which look good for females from here and serve to intimidate other male lizards.

If the push-up ploy works as planned, all-female lizards within sight will suddenly faint and want to mate with this powerful push-up. If these lizard push-ups serve to attract the attention of inattentive lizards, and if there are any costs associated with lizard push-ups energy i.e., expenditure, getting the attention of predators, then it should be so that lizards should only use push-ups when necessary. 

A new study has shown that some lizards use displays to create morning and evening routines. And with lizards, as, perhaps, with men, push-ups also mean leaving my territory and into a new one. 

Lizards think that moving up and down, similar to our human push-ups, is a good way for others to watch them. If you’ve ever seen lizards doing push-ups, you might question if they’re trying to intimidate a human spectator, or if the observer is simply coming at the right moment. When you get closer, you may notice that the lizard is shaking its head or “pushing up and showing spots on its abdomen.” 

Is Push-Ups Limited to Only Males?

Male lizards are significantly more probable to do push-ups because they are more interested in causing a ruckus. Males are much more competitive and conduct shows like push-ups more typically than females, but it doesn’t mean they never do push-ups.

Females may be seen jumping back and forth in a push-up-like movement, although they aren’t as aggressive as their male counterparts.

They aren’t as aggressive as male lizards, although they do get into battles with fellow female lizards now and then.

This isn’t regular, but when it does happen, the consequences aren’t as dramatic as when men fight.

When it comes to mating, a female may sway as a reaction to a male’s display. They are normally quite discreet about it, so you won’t witness the same great show that a male does.

Fascinating Facts About Lizards:

• Lizards can be spotted in practically any type of environment around the world. Some lizards choose to dwell in trees, whereas others wish to live in the terrestrial area. While others chose to live in deserts surrounded by rocks.
• Throughout the day, the majority of lizards are energetic. Lizards are barbarous creatures that depended on their surroundings to keep them warm. They elevate their body heat by absorbing the sun’s heat and are much more active when their bodies are heated.
• Lizards are carnivorous creatures i.e they devour meat. Ants, spiders, termites, crickets, small animals, and also other lizards are basic foods in a lizard’s diet. Snails, for example, are eaten by caiman lizards.
• Certain lizards are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant and animal matter. Clark’s spiny lizard is an instance of an omnivorous lizard. Fruits, leaves, and vegetables are among the foods that these lizards enjoy.
• A lizard egg’s gestation period can span up to 12 months. The majority of newborn lizards are very efficient since birth, they are efficient enough to walk, run, and feed themselves. They are very independent creatures. Based on the species, the young mature between 18 months and 7 years of age. Some lizards have been known to survive for 50 years.
• Lizards use their tongues to absorb fragrance components and transfer them through an organ called a Jacobson’s Organ, which allows them to sense the environment around them. While the lizard does have nostrils, they are not used in the same way that humans do.

Bottom-line:

It might be surprising and funny to watch lizards do push-ups for the first time. Through this article, the mystery of the reasons behind this interesting activity has been revealed!

The next time you look at a lizard indulging in this activity, stop and observe what they are trying to prove.