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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards
12:30

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Published on: December 14, 2006

Lizards respond to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field.

Tsutomu Nishimura1, Hideyuki Okano, Harue Tada

  • 1Translational Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Shogoin Kawahara-cho 54, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. t246ra@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|June 1, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Lizards can perceive extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), indicated by increased tail-lifting behavior. This light-dependent response may involve the parietal eye, suggesting a potential magnetic sense in lizards.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Sensory biology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Many animals use magnetic senses for orientation, but this ability is unconfirmed in lizards.
  • Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are ubiquitous, and their effects on animal senses are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate behavioral responses of lizards to ELF-EMF exposure.
  • To determine if lizards possess magnetoreception and explore the role of the parietal eye.

Main Methods:

  • Adult Pogona vitticeps lizards were exposed to ELF-EMF (6-8 Hz) or a control condition.
  • Tail-lifting frequency was monitored before and during exposure.
  • The effect of blocking light to the parietal eye was tested.

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards
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Main Results:

  • Lizards exposed to ELF-EMF exhibited significantly more tail lifts than controls.
  • The tail-lifting response to ELF-EMF was abolished when the parietal eye was covered.
  • The observed response was reproducible in a cross-over trial.

Conclusions:

  • Lizards can perceive ELF-EMFs, suggesting a potential magnetic sense.
  • The parietal eye appears to be involved in this light-dependent magnetoreception.