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Climate Change Creates Energy Crisis for Desert Lizards

Desert lizards are facing their own version of a cost-of-living crisis as rising global temperatures force them to spend more energy staying alive while having less time to find food, according to research published January 17 in Science.

The study reveals that warming temperatures create a challenging squeeze for many desert-dwelling lizard species – they require more food to maintain their elevated metabolism in warmer conditions, yet the intense heat reduces their safe foraging time.

Research leader Dr. Kristoffer Wild from the University of Melbourne explains the parallel to human economic challenges: “Cost-of-living is a concept humans are all too aware of, but the same concept applies to cold-blooded animals such as lizards. We just need to switch the currency from money to energy.”

Using data collected from over 60 species of desert lizards in Western Australia and Africa’s Kalahari Desert, the researchers combined decades of field observations with sophisticated climate and biological modeling. The results paint a concerning picture for these reptiles as global temperatures continue to climb.

A Tale of Day and Night

The study uncovered stark differences between day-active and night-active lizards. Daytime lizards face the greatest challenges, needing more food while having fewer hours to find it as temperatures become too hot for safe activity. Meanwhile, nocturnal lizards may actually benefit from warmer nights that allow extended hunting time.

“It’s like diurnal lizards paying higher bills with fewer work hours, while nocturnal lizards can counter high bills by gaining extra work hours during the warmer nights,” Wild noted.

Regional Variations

The research team found that the impacts vary significantly by location. African desert lizards are expected to face more severe challenges than their Australian counterparts, requiring more food with less time to find it as temperatures rise.

Professor Michael Kearney, study co-author, emphasized the reliability of their predictions: “We were able to reconstruct, within two or three degrees, what field biologists observed in the middle of the Australian and African deserts more than 50 years ago. This gives us confidence to predict the direct effects of climate warming on these animals in the future.”

Critical Timing

The researchers found that these energy pressures peak during spring and summer – crucial periods for lizard reproduction. This timing could have significant implications for population survival as climate change intensifies.

“If we can better understand the ecological processes underpinning these cost-of-living pressures, we can better anticipate the species most at risk and act accordingly,” Wild said.

The research team is now working to incorporate food and water resources into their calculations, aiming to predict whether populations will survive further warming. Their findings highlight the complex ways climate change affects wildlife, even in species already adapted to extreme environments.


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