Texas Spiny lizard

[gja1000]

I rescued this lizard or another one just like it this morning from the bird netting over my garden. I saw the lizard was caught in the net so I ran and got Gary and we cut the netting out around the lizard, and then Gary held the lizard till I cut all the netting off of him/her.

This evening I found that same lizard or one just like it - and I say it could have been one just like it because the lizard we rescued this morning had a small cut on his back and I didn't see a cut on this lizard. Anyway this evening I found the lizard with her head sticking out of a hole at the base of a stump in the middle of my backyard (see the pictures below). I took some pictures of her and then she ran out of the hole. When I looked in the hole there were about 10 eggs, but I forgot to take a picture of them.

We took the dogs away so she wouldn't be any more disturbed than she already was and when I went out to look later, she was still on the stump but she had covered up the hole. I'm thinking I may have baby Texas Spiny lizards in a couple of months.

[judy]

She covered the hole! Maybe she thought you were going to get in there. Isn't the maternal instinct in other species fascinating? Too bad you didn't get egg pix. She may not let you near them again.

[Janet]

I think it's all so fascinating......I guess I need to do some checking online. Why would she leave them? Will she stay near them...will she be there when they hatch? It's so awesome that you get to watch this.

[DianaB]

That's so interesting!! I love to watch nature!!!

[gja1000]

I think it's all so fascinating......I guess I need to do some checking online. Why would she leave them? Will she stay near them...will she be there when they hatch? It's so awesome that you get to watch this.

I checked the internet for you Janet! :) No, she won't stay with them and this is standard procedure to lay the eggs in a hole and then cover the hole and leave. The babies are on their own when they hatch. It will take 50-60 days, so we are going to watch the hole area to see if we can see them. It is interesting too, that she dug the hole right up next to the stump, where it is less likely the hole will be stepped on.

[Janet]

Poor babies on their own right after they hatch????? How sad....won't they need a mommy to teach them about life and how to survive? I don't think I like this story.... :(

[gja1000]

Awwww Janet, you have such a tender heart! I bet the baby lizards will be just fine.

[judy]

I think you should take a trip down to Gayle's Janet. Those lizards are going to need some TLC when they are born!

[JJJ]

How neat!!!

Hopefully you will be there to take pics of baby lizards.

[Janet]

I would if I could!!! I think it would be so fun! If I didn't have Mom here I would love to!

[gja1000]

I hope I can see them when they come out, but it isn't likely as they have a 10 day window to emerge. I'll watch the hole closely and hopefully, I'll see them when they emerge! Maybe they will stay around the stump for a while and I can see them when they are babies.

[Gina]

That is surely fascinating how nature works. Keep us posted...and Janet maybe you can be their surrogate mother lol

[DianaB]

I hope that you're able to get some picts too......but like you said it will be very unlikely.....but it sure would be coold to see just hatched baby lizards!!!!


My kids found some turtle eggs when they were little and we had three of them hatch out!! That was a cool experience!!! We kept them for probably a year...maybe less.....and then we turned them loose in the river!!!

[Janet]

Definitely try to get pictures....that would be so cool to see them as babies!! My husband bought one of those cameras that you put in a woods or anywhere really that takes pictures when there is movement or something. That's what you need....LOL

[gja1000]

No LOL here Janet - my husband has 3 of those suckers!!! :eek: The problem is that the lizard nest is at the base of the stump that holds our bird bath - we'd have a 1000 pix a day!!!