Which animals can deliberately shed a body part through autotomy?

Autotomy is the biological process by which certain animals voluntarily shed a body part, often as a defense mechanism to escape predators or injury. This self-amputation occurs at a predetermined point of breakage, and in many cases, the animal possesses the capacity to regenerate the lost structure.12

Animals capable of autotomy include:

• Lizards: Many species can voluntarily shed their tails when seized by a predator. The tail often continues to wriggle, providing a distraction that allows the lizard to escape.13
• Insects and Crustaceans: Many of these arthropods will spontaneously drop a leg or claw if it is injured or pinched.2
• Worms: Certain species of worms can split their bodies into segments.12
• Spiders: Some spiders are known to shed body parts as a defensive measure.1
• Salamanders: These amphibians are among the animals that can release parts of their bodies.1
• Hydroids: These colonial marine animals periodically shed their upper portions.2
• Deer: The seasonal shedding of antlers is also classified as a form of autotomy.2