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This is an Australian knob-tailed gecko, Nephrurus
asper, running in a miniature treadmill respirometer so I
can measure how much energy it takes to move (fuel economy). The
way I measure fuel economy is by running the lizards in an airtight
miniature treadmill that allow me to measure the rate of oxygen
consumption as a fuction of running speed. I now have data on
11 species of nocturnal gecko from North America, Asia, Africa,
and Australia. These lizards use 1/2 to 1/5 as much energy to
move as do other terrestrial animals. The geckos may be the most
economical animals known to science! To find out more, click
here.