❄️"Lizards in Winter"- My Article & Photo From January 2006 ❄️ Photo - European Wall Lizard (Muddy) //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Lizards in Winter - by Caveman Etris
Over the years researchers and other individuals have seen changes in various species of wildlife. Until now, I have never seen lizards in the dead of winter while living in Ohio. Though it's winter, atmospheric changes, whether they’re from global warming or other occurrences, made last January ( 2006 ) the warmest in 100 years. At least here it did. Recently I've noticed even more adaptation in the local European Wall Lizards (Podarcis Muralis) that were released here in Cincinnati over 50 years ago. On the 4th of January, 2006 it was 44 degrees F for the high and windy as well. Despite this I saw some of these lizards out from hibernation. On February 26th it was even colder at 36 degrees but I saw two lizards out sunning anyway. It is much too cold for a lizard to be out. Also, it is the wrong season for spotting lizards in Ohio. However, I was watching and photographing these little reptiles on several occasions in January and February. When the temperature is in the fifties for a few days then I can understand seeing a reptile out at the wrong time of the year.Though, seeing any in winter while living in Ohio is definately not a normal occurrence. When I was watching, I didn't see more than three at a time.
On all of the sightings the sun was out for at least part of the day. Otherwise, I would never have seen them. Being mostly brown they draw the sun's heat. They, of course, need the sun to survive on cooler days when they are normally active. On the coldest days that I saw the lizards, the low temperature didn't seem to slow them down much. I was surprised at how fast they ran under a rock when I got too close. I was wearing a coat and blowing steam on some of those days. I must admit that I’m jealous of their adaptation.
For those who have never seen them up close, this is their description: They are small brown and gray lizards with pale whitish spots. The belly is white and some individuals will have yellow, orange or red underneath. During spring and summer some adult males have blue or blue-green spots on their lower sides. Females are mainly shades of brown and have a narrower head than the males. I have never seen this species with a head and body length over three inches long. However, the tail can be up to twice the length of the body. Females are a little smaller than males.
The fact that I can observe these lizards in the middle of winter further shows the changes occurring on the planet. It also shows that certain species of wildlife will adapt or evolve to survive in the future.
NOTE - More European Wall Lizard photos on page > http://wildcaveman.weebly.com/nature-photos---page-2.html
Read a Funny Pet Lizard Story > http://cavemanetris.hubpages.com/hub/Tokay-Getaway-A-Pet-Lesson-Learned
Over the years researchers and other individuals have seen changes in various species of wildlife. Until now, I have never seen lizards in the dead of winter while living in Ohio. Though it's winter, atmospheric changes, whether they’re from global warming or other occurrences, made last January ( 2006 ) the warmest in 100 years. At least here it did. Recently I've noticed even more adaptation in the local European Wall Lizards (Podarcis Muralis) that were released here in Cincinnati over 50 years ago. On the 4th of January, 2006 it was 44 degrees F for the high and windy as well. Despite this I saw some of these lizards out from hibernation. On February 26th it was even colder at 36 degrees but I saw two lizards out sunning anyway. It is much too cold for a lizard to be out. Also, it is the wrong season for spotting lizards in Ohio. However, I was watching and photographing these little reptiles on several occasions in January and February. When the temperature is in the fifties for a few days then I can understand seeing a reptile out at the wrong time of the year.Though, seeing any in winter while living in Ohio is definately not a normal occurrence. When I was watching, I didn't see more than three at a time.
On all of the sightings the sun was out for at least part of the day. Otherwise, I would never have seen them. Being mostly brown they draw the sun's heat. They, of course, need the sun to survive on cooler days when they are normally active. On the coldest days that I saw the lizards, the low temperature didn't seem to slow them down much. I was surprised at how fast they ran under a rock when I got too close. I was wearing a coat and blowing steam on some of those days. I must admit that I’m jealous of their adaptation.
For those who have never seen them up close, this is their description: They are small brown and gray lizards with pale whitish spots. The belly is white and some individuals will have yellow, orange or red underneath. During spring and summer some adult males have blue or blue-green spots on their lower sides. Females are mainly shades of brown and have a narrower head than the males. I have never seen this species with a head and body length over three inches long. However, the tail can be up to twice the length of the body. Females are a little smaller than males.
The fact that I can observe these lizards in the middle of winter further shows the changes occurring on the planet. It also shows that certain species of wildlife will adapt or evolve to survive in the future.
NOTE - More European Wall Lizard photos on page > http://wildcaveman.weebly.com/nature-photos---page-2.html
Read a Funny Pet Lizard Story > http://cavemanetris.hubpages.com/hub/Tokay-Getaway-A-Pet-Lesson-Learned