Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), known for their distinctive appearance and behavior, are a species of agamid lizard native to Australia that have become popular pets worldwide. In the wild they employ an ambush style of hunting. They approach their prey stealthily to within a few centimeters, then lunge forward to capture their target in their mouth. The aim of this study is to explore the prey tracking behavior in bearded dragons. We aim to challenge the prevailing understanding that claims that prey tracking while hunting is based on a series of rapid distinct movements. We hypothesize the prey tracking in bearded dragons is based on a smooth continuous movement of the head. Utilizing video tracking and specialized software, we carefully analyzed the movement patterns of the bait, the head, and their alignment as the bait oscillated. Concurrently, video tracking techniques were employed to determine how effectively the lizards maintained an optimal head-to-food alignment. The data were then graphed and analyzed to ascertain the accuracy of position-tracking of moving prey in bearded dragons. By synthesizing this information, we aim to address the question of whether food tracking in these reptiles depends on a series of distinct movements of the head, or whether it is based on smooth continuous tracking. In the results, we can see that there is a smooth pursuit being followed by the dragons as the food oscillates back and forth. We are also measuring the distance from the prey at which the lizards stop tracking and launch their tongue toward the prey to see if the lizards consistently attack from the same distance, and to determine their ability to reliably measure this distance. We also plan to test the effects of covering one eye to see binocular vision is required for distance estimation and tracking or if the lizards can use focusing in one eye to detect its distance away. The details of the visual sensory processing utilized by lizards to track and capture prey has rarely been studied and is poorly understood. Bearded dragons are an excellent model system for exploring this process.
Primary Speaker
Faculty Sponsors