Light or Dark Mode?

Personally, I keep my phone in dark mode all the time however, the granite night lizard (Xantusia henshawi) can color change from light mode to dark mode depending on the time of day.

This is a mostly nocturnal lizard that can sometimes be seen at dusk and dawn. During the day, dark mode is good for camouflaging in dark spaces. While light mode allows the lizards to camouflage on the granite rocks they are named after, and like to climb on.

The challenge photo was taken by my friend Luc, a Herp Keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo while participating in a workshop hosted by Fauna del Noroeste, FAUNO. In addition to the images, Luc provided some important information about FAUNO that you can read below.

This lizard was spotted during Fauna del Noroeste’s Amphibian and Reptile Workshop. Fauno is an NGO dedicated to preserving the flora and fauna of northwestern Mexico. Fauno has done some truly impressive work, especially in restoring habitat for the threatened California Red-legged Frog.

Photo by: Luc Myers (IG: luc_snakewalker)

Their hands-on workshops offer participants the chance to engage directly with special-status species in the wild. They even have an “Adopt-a-Frog” program, where supporters receive periodic updates on their frog during population surveys. More information on their work can be found here. https://www.faunadelnoroeste.org

Can you #FindThatLizard?!

Let me know with #FoundThatLizard!

Happy Earth Day!

Earyn McGee