Why Lizards Don't Run Marathons

Lizards exhibit a unique running and breathing pattern due to evolutionary constraints. They cannot run and breathe simultaneously because both actions use the same muscles. This limitation is an evolutionary leftover from their ancestors who transitioned from water to land. Over time, lizards and other tetrapods have developed various adaptations to overcome these constraints. For instance, monitor lizards use guller pumping to breathe while running. Other tetrapods, like mammals and birds, have evolved different mechanisms to separate breathing from movement, enhancing their efficiency on land.

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