Brumation Ends

Hi Everyone,

#FindThatLizard is back after a brief hiatus. I appreciate all of your patience and support as I worked through some life challenges.

There will be a few changes and a restoration!

Firstly #FindThatLizard will be returning to being posted on Wednesdays. I’ll be posting to my Patreon, Instagram, and Bluesky.

Second, the newsletter will only be going out once a month, on the last Friday of the month, unless there are special time sensitive announcements.

Finally, I am in need of volunteers to assist with finding interesting lizard stories, sourcing photos, helping plan and facilitate Lizard Art Walks, and with the #FindThatLizard Scholarship (admin and fundraising). If you are interested in helping move these initiatives forward please let me know - @Afroherper @ gmail.com.

Without further ado, this week you’re searching for a western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis.

This species is a fan favorite because they tend to have very big personalities! In urban areas they’ll let you get pretty close, observing you as you observe them.

They also have a pretty interesting trait where a protein in the blood neutralizes the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. When they are bit by an infected tick, they cure the ticks of Lyme. Western fence lizards will also eat ticks, helping to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Can you #FindThatLizard?! Let me know in the comments with #FoundThatLizard!