New research reveals that scuba-diving lizards, described as "the chicken nuggets of the forest," use a bubble to breathe underwater

A species of semi-aquatic lizard produces a special bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater. (Photo by Lindsey Swierk via Courthouse News) (CN) — It took humans awhile to figure out how to swim underwater for long periods of time with scuba diving suits and other technology,

Little lizards that wear snout bubbles underwater really do seem to be using them as tiny scuba tanks. Water anoles (Anolis aquaticus) made headlines a few years ago when they were caught proudly holding onto shiny pockets of air while submerged in their Costa Rican streams.

In the tropical forests of southern Costa Rica, a small, semi-aquatic lizard has evolved an unusual survival technique. Water anoles create a bubble over their nostrils to breathe underwater and avoid predators,

To investigate whether bubbles play a crucial role in underwater respiration, Dr Swierk conducted an experiment where she applied a substance to the skin of some lizards to prevent bubble formation, while leaving a control group untreated.

A species of semi-aquatic lizard produces a special bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater and avoid predators, according to