The Ear Hustlin Western Fence Lizard

Have you ever stepped away to vent to your friends only to see someone overhearing your whole conversation?

That happened to me the other day. At least it was our lizard pal Sceloporus occidentalis, western fence lizard, instead of an actual person.

Lizards like the western fence lizard, can hear you and other potential threats! This study even found that they react to the sounds of fire!

Although wildfires are an important natural disaster, some seeds even needing them to germinate, most lizards wouldn’t want to get caught in one. The study found that lizards that are survivors of wild fires are more alert than those that aren’t. Interestingly, lizards in urban areas are similarly responsive to wildfire survivors.

Wild fire is a big issue in California and the rest of the western US. It’s crucial to know how our wildlife responds to it.

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