the.com/dewlap
the flap of throat skin that turns lizards into tiny, flamboyant cape-wearers.
means The loose fold of skin hanging beneath the throat or neck of certain animals — and sometimes aging humans.
from A Middle English word, likely a compound of an element meaning 'something that hangs or dangles' joined to 'lap,' here in its old sense of a loose flap or fold of skin or cloth. The first part is uncertain — it may be related to 'dew,' perhaps from the way the drooping flesh nearly brushes the dewy grass, though that reading is more folk-poetry than proven fact.
- anole flex
- males flash crimson dewlaps to claim turf and woo
- cattle too
- loose neck skin helps cows shed body heat
- name origin
- old word meaning dangling skin near the lap
- sun signal
- some dewlaps glow when backlit, boosting visibility
- birds wear it
- turkeys and chickens sport wobbly throat versions
southern flying lemur — southeast asian primate with a large patagium membrane that includes a prominent dewlap under the chin and neck
crested anole — caribbean lizard species that extends a colorful dewlap during territorial and mating displays
wild turkey — north american bird where males display prominent red dewlaps (wattles) that engorge during breeding season