By filming a lizard running across

water that had beads floating on the

surface, scientists were able

to work out that the lizard

has three phases to its

running stride.

Second phase – the stroke. The lizard pushes

backwards with its foot, using the toe flaps like

paddles to push against the water. Newton told

us that every action has an equal and opposite

reaction, the lizard pushes water backwards, the

water pushes him forwards.

First phase – the slap. The lizard smashes its

foot vertically down onto the surface of the water,

trapping air beneath the flaps on its toes that it

has spread out. That way it can trap more air for

buoyancy and spread its weight over a larger

surface area, pushing down on more water to give

the water the best chance to push back. Pushing

down gives the lizard its lift.