Autotomize (Verb)
Meaning
Cause a body part to undergo autotomy.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Some starfish have the unique ability to autotomize their arms as a defense mechanism to escape from predators.
- A certain species of lizards can autotomize their tails in response to threats from other animals or humans.
- Crayfish are known to autotomize their claws as a means of defense against predators.
- When threatened or caught by a predator, some insects are able to autotomize a limb to break free.
- In case of an emergency, some species of worms have the ability to autotomize parts of their body in order to regenerate them.