When I started my blog, The Adventures of a Young Naturalist, I was just 10 years old, writing about whatever captured my curiosity. Fast forward to today, and here I am, celebrating the 50th post on my site. That’s 50 topics explored, countless late-night edits, and more than a few moments of panic over whether anyone would actually read what I wrote. But it’s also 50 chances to learn, connect, and (hopefully) inspire. Here’s the wild part: for this milestone post, I got to interview someone whose work was published in Biology Letters, a rigorous, peer-reviewed Royal Society journal, and featured in a news blurb in Nature—one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world.

Reaching this milestone got me thinking about what drives curiosity. For me, it’s the joy of uncovering something unexpected—like a lizard that breathes underwater. Yes, you read that right. My fascination with the natural world recently led me to interview Lindsey Swierk, a scientist whose research on bubble-breathing water anoles is so fascinating it belongs in a sci-fi novel. But it’s not sci-fi—it’s real, and it’s as innovative as it is weird.

It’s not just the research that’s impressive. Getting an article published and featured is a huge deal in the science world, so having the chance to talk with Lindsey about her work, her journey, and the cutting-edge tech her research is inspiring feels like an honor.

Before we dive into the fascinating world of bubble-breathing lizards and the incredible scientist who studies them, I just want to say how grateful I am—for the readers who’ve followed me on this journey, the people who’ve inspired me along the way, and to the tiny anoles of Costa Rica for being delightfully strange. Here’s to curiosity, hard work, and chasing big dreams—no matter your age.

The Article That Popped My Bubble

I leaned closer to my computer screen, captivated by the shimmering creature I saw. I was reading an article about a water anole, perched on a submerged rock, the thin layer of air on its scales glinting like silver. Suddenly, a bubble formed on the lizard’s snout, growing until it seemed it would float away. But nope, the lizard inhaled it again like, “What? You thought I’d waste this?” The lizard hadn’t exhaled; it re-breathed, drawing oxygen from the bubble like a diver using an air tank.

Was this real? Could a lizard truly breathe underwater? Amazingly, yes. The semi-aquatic anole is the only vertebrate known to use bubbles for underwater respiration, staying submerged for up to 16 minutes and reusing the air it carries—an ingenious survival strategy meant to keep it safe from predators.

At this point, I’m hooked. I have questions. How does it do that? Can I do that? (Spoiler: no, I cannot.) As I read, I couldn’t help but imagine how bubble-breathing could inspire futuristic gadgets. Water anole-inspired scuba-diving gear, anyone? I’d buy it.

After learning about these creatures while reading Anole Annals, I wanted to know even more! Lindsey’s dynamic writing and research captivated me, and after some research of my own, I found her email and asked for an interview. To my excitement, Lindsey responded enthusiastically, even sharing a draft of her upcoming article, now published in Biology Letters.

Despite her packed schedule, Lindsey graciously made time for me, which I am very thankful for. Today, I’m excited to share some of Lindsey’s insights, publishing process and her plans for future research with you.

What It Takes to Study Bubble-Breathing Lizards

Lindsey Swierk is a behavioral ecologist, herpetologist, and assistant research professor at Binghamton University. Her research focuses on things like reproductive strategies and animal communication—which basically means she probably knows more about lizard dating habits than most lizards do. Lindsey’s path to studying bubble-breathing anoles wasn’t exactly a straight line.

Initially, she was focused on studying wood frogs, but in 2014, an opportunity to mentor college students in Costa Rica led her to the Las Cruces Biological Station. Hiking through the misty, high-altitude environment, Lindsey encountered her first water anole, a creature that would change her research path.

The water anole wasn’t a new discovery, but it was new to Lindsey. Its color-changing ability fascinated her, and its unusual behavior set it apart. One misty hike, one flashy lizard, and Lindsey’s research plans flipped faster than a water anole diving for cover. I can relate—when I first moved to Georgia, the local anoles immediately piqued my curiosity. They’re not the bubble-breathing variety, but with their quirky side-eyes and bold personalities, they’ve completely charmed me.

An Inside Look at Publishing in Biology Letters

After deciding that water anoles were worth studying, Lindsey returned to Costa Rica with a team to dive into her research—both figuratively and literally. She immersed herself in the lizard’s bubble-breathing ability and couldn’t wait to share her findings. When asked whether she knew her discovery was groundbreaking enough for a journal as prestigious as Biology Letters, she said:

“Honestly, I didn’t [know]. I just thought people would find it cool. What I did know, is that I had never heard of another anole doing something like this. And anoles are super cool because they have adapted to so many different types of habitats… [Researchers already] knew that there was a group of anoles called semi-aquatic anoles and we all thought that they just adapted to hanging out near streams, but I had never heard of this [bubble breathing] behavior before.” – Lindsey Swierk

I loved her answer. It’s such a refreshing reminder that you don’t have to set out to solve world hunger or cure a disease to make an impact—sometimes, chasing what you think is cool can lead to extraordinary discoveries. Lindsey didn’t overcomplicate it; she thought, “Bubble-breathing lizards? Yes, please!” And yet, getting published in Biology Letters is no simple task. She had to turn her observations into a convincing scientific story that appealed to experts and readers who might struggle to understand what an anole even is.

As I learned more about these bubble-breathing reptiles and Lindsey’s journey, I couldn’t help but feel her enthusiasm jump off the page. It’s not just the discovery that’s amazing—it’s the way she turned it into something the world couldn’t ignore. I’ve caught myself thinking, Okay, this is wild—tell me everything!

Turning Science Into Storytelling

A part of Lindsey’s story that really stuck with me was her unique approach to writing scientific papers. For Lindsey, these papers aren’t just a way to present data—they’re stories designed to captivate and engage readers, and her method of building that narrative is as fascinating as the discoveries themselves.

Lindsey starts by diving into the nitty-gritty: documenting her methods and results. This step isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s the backbone of her work, ensuring other researchers can replicate her findings and bolstering the credibility of her study. From there, she tackles the statistics and results sections, where she analyzes and presents her data in a way that’s clear, precise, and leaves no room for doubt.

But here’s where her process takes a creative turn. Instead of starting with the introduction, Lindsey saves it for later. She calls this the “investigative part” of her writing process, where she crafts an introduction that doesn’t just explain why her research matters but ties it into the broader scientific context like the opening chapter of a thrilling mystery. This backwards-seeming approach lets her build the introduction around a story that’s already complete and cohesive.

The final hurdle is submitting her draft for publication and navigating the revision process. Lindsey’s experience publishing in Biology Letters was impressively smooth—she submitted in June and had her article accepted with only minor edits by August. It’s a testament to her skill in turning raw research into a polished, compelling narrative.

Hearing Lindsey describe her writing process felt like a lightbulb moment for me. Lately, I’ve been starting my own writing projects in the middle, working my way to the end, and then finishing with the introduction. It’s messy, but it works—and now I know I’m in good company. Listening to her made me want to write my own scientific paper. All I need is a good research subject—or maybe a collaborator who’s as excited about quirky reptiles as I am!

How Water Anoles Are Inspiring Future Tech

Here’s where things get even cooler: Lindsey’s research is inspiring cutting-edge technology. Yep, bubble-breathing lizards might one day revolutionize everything from water-repellent clothing to oxygenation systems for lakes. Take that, science fiction!

She’s already collaborating with researchers in Germany to uncover what makes the water anole’s skin so effective at repelling water. They’re exploring whether a waxy coating or unique surface structures play a role. This research could inspire potential applications in everything from water-repellent clothing to electronics that need protection from moisture.

But that’s not all. Lindsey is also investigating how the shape of the water anole’s head keeps the bubbles firmly attached, even underwater. This discovery has inspired a collaboration with researchers at UMass Amherst to explore how similar principles could be used to pump oxygen into bodies of water, such as lakes with low oxygen levels, by allowing oxygen to diffuse from bubbles into the water. Such technology could help restore damaged ecosystems.

These projects, while still in their early stages, are a fascinating glimpse into how biology can inspire innovative solutions to real-world challenges. While it might be a while before you can wear a rain jacket designed with water anole-inspired technology, the possibilities are thrilling. For me, learning about Lindsey’s research reminds me of how interconnected the world is—how a tiny lizard’s adaptations could lead to solutions for challenges humans face every day. It’s a reminder that innovation can come from unexpected places, and it makes me wonder what other secrets the natural world is waiting to share with us.

Final Thoughts

Here we are—50 blog posts later, and I’m still amazed by where this journey has taken me. From writing about backyard discoveries to interviewing a scientist whose work was published in Biology Letters, it’s been an unforgettable ride. I’m deeply grateful for every reader who’s joined me along the way. Whether you’ve been here since post #1 or just stumbled across this on Anole Annals, your support means the world to me.

This Thanksgiving, I’m especially thankful for the chance to share stories that spark curiosity and celebrate the wonders of the natural world. Lindsey’s research on bubble-breathing water anoles is a perfect reminder that science isn’t just about answering big questions—it’s about uncovering small, unexpected marvels that connect us to the world (and sometimes inspire futuristic scuba gear).

As I reflect on this milestone, I realize that The Adventures of a Young Naturalist wouldn’t be what it is without you—my readers. Your comments, questions, and enthusiasm have turned this from a solitary project into a shared adventure. So, here’s to all of us—embracing curiosity, chasing big dreams, and maybe discovering a teleporting lizard for my 100th post.

Let’s make these bubble-breathing anoles famous! Share this blog on your socials and with your favorite science-loving friends. And don’t forget to join the fun in the comments—what’s the most fascinating thing you’ve read lately? I’m ready for some epic suggestions!

Check out my blog at https://buymeacoffee.com/naturalistadventures/posts