Unlike most animals, the prehensile tailed skink (Prasinohaema prehensicauda) from the highlands of Papua New Guinea has green blood.
The muscles, bones and tongues of these lizards appear a bright lime green due to high levels of biliverdin, a green bile pigment, which is toxic and causes jaundice. Surprisingly, these lizards remain healthy with levels of green bile that are 40 times higher than the lethal concentration in humans.
No-one knows exactly how the skinks (and several related species of lizard) tolerate the poisonous pigment, but recent research shows that green-bloodedness may have evolved independently at least four times.
Originally published by Cosmos as A green-blooded lizard
Cosmos
Curated content from the editorial staff at Cosmos Magazine.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
