Big word for a tiny lizard's defense!

  A tiny lizard caught my eye today and it brought back a  memory from last week.  I was in the garden pulling out all of the old tomato plants when I noticed another tiny one.  It was much like this one being probably about the same age.  Both were only about three inches in length. Still just wee babes in the wild, new world.  The lizard from a week ago, was clinging to the arbor post.  The little guy was trying to blend into the woodwork since this huge monster was tearing up the tomatoes.  I am quite sure that I closely resembled everything monstrous to him.  My fascination with him only lasted a moment as I wanted to get out of the garden before the heat became unbearable. Perhaps I should have watched him a bit closer.  No sooner had I stepped away than a mockingbird darted after the little fellow.  The whole ordeal only took a few seconds. I am happy to say, however,  that the little lizard escaped with his life.  He was minus his tail but his life was still intact.  It is a good thing that most lizards are autotomic! (Now there is a fine word for you and one that this spellcheck refuses to accept!)  Autotomic means that the little lizard (among a few other critters) has the ability to drop body parts such as limbs or tails at will.   This usually is a defense method and is a spontaneous reflex action. It is the only defense the little lizards have when this tiny.  Other critters such as crabs and lobsters can do it with claws and legs.  Strange as it seems, tadpoles can do the same but adult frogs cannot!  

  I have not seen the tailless lizard since that day.  He must have learned his lesson well and is staying well hidden amongst the leaves. The little guy, today, was prime pickings for a predator.  He sat atop the leaves for all the world to see until Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, decided that she liked him.  She stuck her nose up against him to make friends causing him to scamper down beneath the lily leaves.  The old dog might have actually saved his life unbeknownst to the lizard.  Good job, Ms. Ez, good job!  Lizard Defender can now be added to your growing list of job qualifications.