Anoles, Mediterranean house geckos, skinks

For some reason I'm just fascinated with these things. Quite a novelty to me, having moved to AL from OH about 5 years ago. I have about 100 potted plants on my front porch and it's become an anole hot spot this summer. Hopefully changing grass over to beds in several spots around the house has also given them a better habitat here overall. It's so cool to watch one snatch a fly right out of the air and eat it!

Last year we had several Mediterranean house geckos that I would see if I disturbed their sleep during the daytime, then hanging around the outside walls of the house at night, usually by the windows where the light attracts flying things, but haven't seen one since last year. Been wondering why.

Last year I saw a skink for the first time and was in a panic, sure it was a tiny baby rattlesnake. So convinced in fact that I didn't see the thing's legs in the pics I took. My honey was cracking up, he said, "How can it be a snake if it has legs?" These are really cute too, now that I know what they are, but quite elusive, not something you can watch like anoles.

Do you have any of these tiny predators?


Anole on Begonia ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )


anole on finger ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )


anole on Begonia ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )



anole on Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )


skink ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )

 

We have both anoles and skinks. Our anoles puff up their chin pouch to a huge orange balloon if they feel disturbed. The skinks just hang around the patio where it's shady and there is a leaky watering pot sitting, providing a bit of moisture for them. I enjoy watching the anoles, and the skinks, and the toads. It's a wonder there's any room left for us on the patio!

 

I have tons of lizards and see a skink only occasionally. Not too many geckos either.
My dog has been trying to catch the lizards lately... I keep scolding her but it doesn't seem to matter. Someone would probably think I was nuts if they could hear me constantly shouting... "Hurry Lizard... run to safety... here comes Sassy Marie!"

 

The only lizards I ever see around here are salamanders in the pond. Every once in a blue moon I might come across a tiny lizard under the leaves in fall. Not sure what type they are tho. Those are adorable.

 

Marlin, I wish I could get a picture of one expanding its' dewflap. I'll keep trying. The head-bobbing thing they do is so funny!

Toni, there are a couple stray cats around here but they usually stay on the other side of the street. We have a huge dog, great dane, sure that helps.

Cheryl, I would totally understand, but still probably giggle!

Eileen love your name/butterfly animation. Very pretty! Anoles make excellent terrarium pets, live up to 7 years, or so I read on the good ol' www, should you be interested in pursuing the matter, although availability could be iffy. And hey, speaking of toads, I was repotting a Tradescantia that was just sitting at the edge of a flowerbed for a while, and what I think was a Fowler's toad jumped out of the root ball. I made a sound that shouldn't come from a grown woman, then realized what it was. And this was AFTER I had chopped off the bottom half of it (the root ball) with a shovel. Glad I didn't slice where the critter was. He/she let me pick him up and put him back where the pot had been. Ever pick up an upside-down empty pot and surprise a toad? I always feel bad for taking their home back for a new plant. Anyway, some of the blame has now been lifted from the squirrels regarding digging in pots. Looks like some of the credit should go to the toads. They must be laughing all the time at the squirrels, getting blamed for everything. Ha!

 

Okay, I confess. We have toad houses all over the place. Wherever there's a spot that shady and cool, with a bit of moisture, I put a 1 gal. plastic pot with an upside-down U cut in the lip, and a brick on the top (to keep it from blowing over in our mild Texas winds).
A neighbor started to pick one up, thinking that the pot had been used and forgotten, and I told her that it was a toad house. She hasn't been back, but she still talks to me on the telephone.

 

You're not alone! Had I realized sooner there were toads in the neighborhood, I would have some toad abodes here too, or apparently I do with all of the pots around...? I didn't realize they don't mind if it's already occupied by a plant.

There was nothing but grass except one tiny corner in this whole giant yard when I moved here, and I've been removing grass and adding tons of different plants. Then last year it was so dry, I didn't have any plant-time left after lugging the hose around constantly and thought all of my work was going to end up being for nothing. Feel bad for those who aren't getting rain this year, and inexpressibly grateful for the rain we've been blessed with this year. Starting to really reap the rewards, in both plants and critters this year. Happens everywhere I live but always seems so slow to get going, then suddenly, it's all happening and almost resembles the vision in your mind's eye. So cool!

 

Lynn, oops, forgot to say, I didn't know there were any lizards in PA. That's interesting to know!

 

Hey, you have the Geico gecko!

 

Cap'n, our geckos have a Texas drawl, not an Aussie accent!

 

Purpleinopp I love your pic's of those just to cute little critters. I love lizards, toads, frogs, and snakes. Living here in Wis. lizards and such wouldn't survive the winters. We do have tree frogs.


Smile say tree Frog. ( photo / image / picture from Tooty2shoes's Garden )

This little cute hopped on the sleeve of my Mom's shirt so I quickly ran and got a pic. For such a small frog they really make a loud noise that sounds like a raccoon chortling. I also put out toad abodes. We have lots of them. Last year I saw a really neat little snake. It is called a Pink Worm Snake. But alas I didn't have my camera with me.
I knew a family who moved to your state several years ago. Their 5yr old little girl just loved to haul around the lizards she found.

 

Ha - as long as none of these little guys try selling me car insurance, the romance continues!

Tooty, that sure is an interesting frog, and pretty - as far as frogs go.

 

i wish we had such exotic creatures here in the u.k, all we get is snails and the odd frog :L