Book 32, Question 26 · Video
Why can a lizard go weeks without a meal?
A lizard’s body doesn’t make its own heat, so it burns only a small fraction of the energy that a mammal of the same size does. When the lizard is resting and its food is scarce, it hardly uses any fuel. Many lizards store spare energy as fat. That is why a healthy lizard can wait days or even weeks between meals and still be fine.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can a lizard go weeks without a meal?
The Big Idea
You get hungry a few times every day. But a lizard can wait for weeks! How can it go so long without a meal?
No Body Heater
Step one: No Body Heater. A lizard's body doesn't make its own heat. So it burns only a small fraction of the energy a mammal of the same size does.
Resting Mode
Step two: Resting Mode. When the lizard is resting and food is scarce, it hardly uses any fuel at all. It just waits quietly.
Stored Fat
Step three: Stored Fat. Many lizards store spare energy as fat. That's why a healthy lizard can wait days or even weeks between meals and still be fine.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Warms it. Burns little. Stored. Weeks.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! A mouse must eat many times a day, but a lizard of the same size does not. Making body heat uses lots of energy. Fat is stored energy. Resting saves fuel.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Pretend you're a lizard. Rest quietly for two minutes. Then run in place for one minute. Which used more energy? How could you tell?
Outro
A lizard doesn't make its own body heat, so it burns only a small fraction of the energy a mammal does. Resting uses almost no fuel, and stored fat lets a healthy lizard wait weeks between meals. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!