Why Animals Keep Self-Amputating

The video explores the concept of autotomy, where animals intentionally shed body parts. Lizards use it to escape predators, while sea slugs decapitate themselves to eliminate parasites and regrow their bodies. Leaf-footed cactus bugs may amputate injured limbs to prevent infection, though they cannot regrow them. Some spiders sacrifice parts of their mating organs to ensure reproductive success. These behaviors highlight the diverse reasons for self-amputation in the animal kingdom, from survival to reproduction.

What is the primary reason lizards use self-amputation?

• To attract mates

• To remove parasites

• To confuse predators

• To regrow a new body

How do sea slugs benefit from incorporating algal cells?

• They become poisonous to predators

• They can regrow limbs faster

• They become more colorful

• They gain energy through photosynthesis

Why might a leaf-footed cactus bug choose to amputate a limb?

• To escape predators

• To prevent infection

• To regrow a stronger limb

• To attract a mate

What is the purpose of a copulatory plug in spiders?

• To protect the female

• To store food

• To attract more females

• To prevent other males from mating

What is a common evolutionary advantage of self-amputation across the animal kingdom?

• Improved camouflage

• Faster movement

• Avoiding predation and infections

• Increased size