During a quiet moment in the garden Sunday morning, this western fence lizard was brave enough to pose for a few pictures. He'd heard about the recent massacres of his reptilian relatives by Smooch and Deets and was a bit camera-shy at first.
He stuck around long enough to provide me a quote on auto insurance, then scurried off to slurp bugs.
Further research into the species has turned up this very interesting fact:
It is thought that the presence of western fence lizards diminishes the danger of transmission of Lyme disease by ticks. The incidence of Lyme disease is lower in areas where the lizards occur, and it has been found that when ticks carrying Lyme disease feed on these lizards (which they commonly do, especially around their ears), the bacteria that cause the disease are killed.
Who knew?
Great pictures of this little guy. He just about blends in and could easily be watching you before you'd even notice him!
ReplyDeleteHope he gave you a good quote ... LOL!!!!
Ticks feed on Lizards? I thought you were going to tell me that the Lizards ATE the ticks! Oh my!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping for a Lyme free summer!
There is a reason for every little creature living on this planet n'est-ce pas? Great picture, Carson.
ReplyDeleteBest always, Sandra
What a handsome fellow!
ReplyDeleteYay for lizards!
ReplyDeleteSEND WESTERN FENCE LIZARDS ASAP STOP.
ReplyDeleteI'm very scared of Lyme Disease so that's great info!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a cute little fella! My cat enjoys playing with lizards, too, and I try to save them from her. I actually mustered up the courage to take them in my hand and rescue them from the non hungry cat. Ours are probably smaller than this one, but I don't mind them hanging around my garden. Looks like my cat does, though.
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd write they ate the little blood suckers) but what they do is great as well. I wonder if our lizards provide the same service....
I wonder if that is true of all lizard types in all regions of the country or just this kind. Interesting fact, I have always been a fan of lizards.
ReplyDeleteHehhe cute little fellow.
ReplyDeleteCute little guy or gal. My granddaughter would have fun playing with these. Was the quote given with an accent or written?
ReplyDeleteI feel like I should say something about bee's knees. I wonder why. Thanks for teaching me something new this morning.
ReplyDeleteHis/her face looks like a dinousaur in the left side picture of him/her pointing down. I always thought they were beneficial. The lyme/tick story is amazing. Nature has it all figured out.
ReplyDeleteI knew there was another reason I like lizards besides the fact that they're cute! Thanks for the education, Carson.
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa
He is a cute guy. Lizards are okay expect around here the heads look like snake heads peeking out. They are smaller too.
ReplyDeleteSend some of these guyz to New Jersey pleez. Thank yew very much.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish we could have those lizzards. The lyme and anaplasmosis in our area is horrible. He is adorable and what a great series to bring back.
ReplyDeleteway cool about the whole Lyme thing.....I have a sister who suffers from chronic lyme......it's a serious thing.....seems like they could figure out what it is that is in these lizards and re-create it and knock this horrible disease out...
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Lizards...They are all over my garden and I have been able to get some fabulous pictures of them over the years, as you have, too....And I did not know that about Fence Lizards and Lyme Disease...There is a lot of wood in my garden---all the many hundreds of steps are all wood, and we do have Deer here...So, here's hoping...!
ReplyDelete