1. The agamid lizard Stellio stellio L. accelerates quickly and reaches maximum speed over short distances.

  2. Maximum speed on the level is proportional to body mass to the power. This relation differs from predictions based on an interspecific scaling model of “geometric” similarity (M0) and is intermediate between predictions based on interspecific scaling models of “elastic” similarity and of “static stress” similarity .

  3. Maximum speed was also measured on slopes ranging from –15° to + 60°. The effect of slope on speed varies with body mass. The maximum speed of large lizards decreases on steep slopes, but that of small lizards is remarkably independent of slope.

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