Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Get to Know the Creatures in Your Yard

Have you ever just sat in your garden and looked at the world of the insects, bees, reptiles, birds and the plants? I mean, get down on their level and see the world as they see it. My favorite thing to do is to take a cup of coffee and go to the garden just as the sun comes up. The smell of the flowers and herbs is almost overwhelming. Last week I sat and watched, for the longest time, an Anole and his antics sparked my curiosity.

The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is indigenous to the southern United States. With a dorsal coat of lime to emerald green (very rare and gorgeous specimens are tinted blue), the green Anole is an agile climber and dines on spiders, grasshoppers and other insect prey. These green guys are personable little lizards that seem to enjoy being hand-fed too. That is if you like picking up spiders and grasshoppers.
 


These little herps (slang for reptiles and amphibians) are also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green. However, it is not a true chameleon. The color changes are caused by hormones, background color or mood. Anoles also do push-ups to regulate their inner temperature. They are ectothermic which means their environment determines their body temperature. On a hot afternoon if you see a male Anole doing push-ups and there is no female around, chances are he is cooling off. Green Anoles tend to remain green when temperatures are more than 70 degrees F., whereas they tend to remain brown during cool weather conditions or when stressed.  And get this - its toes have adhesive pads to facilitate climbing.

This little green guy that I observed was doing push-ups all by himself. I was saddened. I’m sure you’ve seen them where you live.



 Video courtesy of Courtney Neumeyer

This behavior is to catch the female Anole’s eye. Which leads to this.


Females pay attention to this display of fitness, sort of like watching Chippendale Dancers (not that I have ever seen any Chippendale Dancers).

Female lizards rate their guys by the size of their. . . .wait for it. . .dewlap. It is the bright-colored patch that the male lizard sports on their necks or on their bellies. Doing these push-ups is much like a body builder flexing his muscles.






So once in a while forget your gardening to do list and slow down, rest, relax and discover the soap opera that goes on daily in your garden. You may not get ahead of those weeds, but you will find unexpected drama unfolding. A leisurely pace has its rewards!

13 comments:

  1. I have never seen one of this little green guys. You make the great outdoors fun and interesting, for a city gal, like me.Eva C

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  2. Hehe to the body builder! Thanks for sharing your talent for education and writing..love yoir blog!

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  3. Enjoy your blogs very much. Yes I also watch the little workers in the soil. For the last 2 years I've been watching the cutter ants stripping leaves off of my bushes and plants. I was hoping all that rain would wash them away, but no such luck. There is always enough oxygen and room for them to survive in all that sand. Cinnamon did not help. ....Stay dry

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  4. Very good--and informative! Talented writer; I'll keep watching for more.
    Thanks, Vicki

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  5. You make everything fun! Even the great outdoors, for this city gal!

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  6. Enjoyed your post. I've seen them around the house and will start paying more attention. Thanks, Ann!

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  7. I enjoyed your post, but only see them when my 4 legged kids try to eat them.. I usually enjoy watching the hardworking cutter ants eating leaves off of bushes and plants

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  8. Is it still ok for me to publish your blog posts in the paper as long as I give credit and refer back to your blog? Just making sure... I love this article!

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  9. Love it, Ann and love observing them in my front yard! I think they are little gifts from above for us to enjoy and watch - love when they flex their orange/red under neck areas!

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  10. Love your post! What a fun read it was. Thanks!

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  11. How cool, Ann! Love that little creature- yesterday, I sat on the front porch and looked at nature with coffee! Wish I had your garden thanks.

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  12. I enjoy my patio and the wonders of nature here quite often. It's my escape!

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  13. I surely did enjoy your article in the paper! Every summer I have a little anole who lives on our deck, but I've always called it a chameleon. I never knew the real name for it. He is such a beautiful lime green, and his little thingy is such a gorgeous fuschia. Thanks, Doris

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