Hunger drove the reptiles to take risks.

Animals must make strategic decisions when foraging for food, especially when they are very hungry. To investigate how hunger influences the food choices of Indian mountain agamas, a research team led by Maria Thaker from the Indian Institute of Science conducted an unusual experiment, dividing the subjects into two groups.

The results of the new scientific study, published in the journal Biology Letters, revealed that these reptiles are capable of what is known as "risky" foraging, where their behavior strategy depends not only on the amount of food available but also on the predictability of its source.

In the experiment, the lizards were split into two groups: the "fed" group received food daily, while the "hungry" group went without food for two days. Then, the reptiles in both groups were offered a choice between two bowls containing different quantities of treats (insect larvae): the first bowl contained a consistent ("safe") number of larvae, while the second bowl either had none at all or twice as many as in the "safe" bowl.

Ultimately, the well-fed agamas more frequently chose the "stable," albeit smaller portion of food — that is, the first bowl. In contrast, their hungry counterparts took risks in hopes of obtaining a double portion.
Surprisingly, by the end of the experiment, both the regularly fed and the regularly deprived lizards had consumed nearly equal amounts of food on average. Moreover, there were no significant differences between males and females in their choice of "risky" versus "stable" strategies.

This behavior is a clear example of a "risky" strategy, where animals alter their tactics based on their current state. If a lizard is not very hungry, it is likely to avoid the "lottery" and prefer to steadily replenish its energy reserves. However, fasting for several days compels them to take risks. This is because the choice between a double portion and hunger (all or nothing) can be critical for survival.

Given that mountain agamas need to maintain a high level of activity throughout the year, the authors of the study concluded that such a flexible decision-making system enables them to manage their energy resources effectively.

Thus, the researchers discovered that the ability to "take risks" when foraging for food is not only present in birds and mammals but also in reptiles. This finding offers a new perspective on the survival strategies of cold-blooded animals, particularly in unpredictable and rapidly changing environments.

"When resources are either abundant or completely lacking, the ability to choose between 'stable but modest' and 'risky but potentially rewarding' food allows lizards to stay in shape," the biologists noted.

Understanding how lizards make such risky decisions in their natural habitats, where they face not only hunger but also predators, competition, and changing weather conditions, will require further research.