Rewilding My Lot

The most frequently seen lizard here by far is the Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis).

I’ve also once seen a Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis).

Recently I had my first sighting of a Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) in the garden, a few feet up the trunk of the Desert Willow tree. I’m always excited to see new creatures here, because that is usually an encouraging sign of increasing diversity, and an indication that the various habitat spaces and food sources in this small space are being used.

To get images of something skittish like this lizard, I move towards it as gently and smoothly as possible, taking photos as I go. I call this procedure “garden tai chi,” which must look quite odd if I am ever observed (which I was on this occasion). The photo series below starts with where I am furthest away, moving in until I can finally see the head clearly (the photos are cropped). At that point it ran away.

Lizards in the garden primarily eat insects and other small invertebrates. If anything eats them, it is most likely to be a snake, bird, or roaming cat.