#Sagebrush lizard

[herpsandbirds]

Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), family Phrynosomatidae, found in SE NM & West TX, USA

ENDANGERED.

photographs by Lee Fitzgerald & Isaac Lord

[rabbitcruiser]

World Lizard Day 

World Lizard Day is celebrated on August 14 every year. The day may not be a well-known one, but it’s still celebrated on local levels with schools, parks, and reptile enthusiasts being the main groups celebrating the occasion. Educational and fun events remain a staple of the holiday. Reptile enthusiasts use the internet to spread information about their love for the scaly critters. The day hasn’t been adopted by higher-level conservation organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (W.W.F.). Instead, it is mainly focused on awareness about reptiles as pets.

History of World Lizard Day

Like many odd holidays, the origins of World Lizard Day are unclear. Don’t let its murky beginnings dissuade you from celebrating this wholesome day though. The species is dying out worldwide due to ignorance and lack of attention. The day may be about lizards, but we can’t pass up on the opportunity to tell you more about reptiles in general. It’s the spirit of the day after all!

All reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in scales, plates of bone, or a combination of both. Species of this family include snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and tortoises. All of these shed their skin and depend on the environment to regulate their body temperatures. This dependence on outside factors when it comes to regulating their core body temperatures means that reptiles have to find sun and shade in order to warm up or cool down. In areas that have colder winters, reptiles generally experience a period of inactivity until the weather grows warmer again.

Lizards are no different, which is why you see them sunning themselves in your warm garden or on the bricks that soak up the sun throughout the day. For pet lizards, staying warm or cool is a different matter entirely. People who own lizards as pets need to heat their tanks with heating lamps or pads without overheating the space. In fact, preparing and maintaining a tank for a lizard or any reptile requires a great deal of initial and continuous effort. Each subspecies of reptile has specific needs and preferences. It’s recommended that aspiring and even current reptile owners do research on exactly what their pet needs to be happy and healthy. Doing research before you buy or adopt a pet lizard will help you to figure out what kind of lizard would suit you and your budget constraints. This before you buy stage is crucial in ensuring that you make the right choice when it comes to being a pet owner.

World Lizard Day timeline

312 Million Years Ago The First Reptiles

The first proto-reptiles evolve during the Carboniferous period.

13th Century Frogs and Reptiles

The first classification system groups amphibians and reptiles together with worms.

19th Century Reptiles in a Class of Their Own

Reptiles are recognized as a completely separate category from amphibians.

21st Century Skin Trade

The lucrative trading of reptile skin results in reptile farms becoming rampant, forcing conservation efforts and heavy policing of these farms.

World Lizard Day FAQs

Why do we celebrate World Lizard Day?

The day is an opportunity for reptile enthusiasts to celebrate their fascination and share it with others.

What’s a good lizard for beginner reptile owners?

Bearded dragons and leopard geckos are two of the most popular beginner-friendly lizards to own. A bearded dragon is known to be one of the most outgoing and friendly lizards.

What do lizards eat during the day?

Lizards may not drink much water throughout the day. They have a varied diet that provides them with nutrients. This includes grass and leafy plants, small insects like crickets and beetles, and berries and seeds.

World Lizard Day Activities

Visit your local reptile park

Donate to conservation efforts

Get a pet lizard

If you want to celebrate the day but don’t have any reptiles of your own then why not support the local reptile park or farm. There will definitely be a fun and educational event being held, and you’d be supporting a local business.

N.G.O.s and organizations like the W.W.F. are doing crucial work when it comes to rescuing and conserving animals and habitats of the world. If you’d rather see your money work on a small scale then why not inquire if your local shelter or park has any reptiles you can sponsor.

We don’t suggest this lightly but if you’re reading this then you must love lizards! Why not start researching what it’s like to own one, so you can see if it’s something for you.

5 Facts About Reptiles That You’ll Think Are Awesome

They used to be amphibious

Most reptiles are carnivorous

They’re not that smart

Temperature determines sex

Extinction crisis

Reptiles actually evolved from amphibians.

Only iguanas and turtles subsist on a plant-based diet.

Reptiles have about one-tenth of the intelligence you’d find in animals like rats, cats, and hedgehogs.

The sex of reptiles is determined by the temperature of the environment outside the egg as the creature grows.

Nearly one-fifth of all known reptile species are considered endangered or dangerously close to extinction.

Why We Love World Lizard Day

Reptiles need some love

They’re great pets

It’s fun

Of all the animals, reptiles are the ones that need some extra love and attention after all the years they’ve been misunderstood. Most people still view them as dangerous and cold creatures when that isn’t the case.

Reptiles make for excellent pets and here are some reasons why: they don’t need training or regular exercise, they’re quiet, and are very low-maintenance. Most importantly, they’re interesting creatures.

Having an excuse to visit the reptile park or spend extra time with your own pet reptile is always a good thing. World Lizard Day is a fun day with no pressure, and we really love it for that.

Source

[flowerbarrel-art]

A bunch of photos and a random Mario Kart screenshot I forgot to upload. Spider and cricket under the cut just in case.

A baby lizard and an adult lizard (second is sagebrush lizard, not sure if the first lizard is the same kind).

I uploaded this before but it was cool; it’s a photo of an alligator my sister took in Alabama.

Tiny reading my prehistoric animals book.

.5 seconds from disaster in Mario Kart 8.

Teeny spider and baby cricket.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

RIP: The Blue Death-Feigning Beetle

Also known as the desert ironclad beetle, the blue death-feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) is a species of darkling beetle native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Within this environment, the desert ironclad beetle can often be found near vegetation like sagebrush or palo verde trees, or hiding under fallen logs or rocks. However, it's not uncommon to spot it trundling along out in the open.

While the blue death-feigning beetle's coloring might make it stand out against the dull desert background, it actually serves a useful purpose. The color is a result of a heavy coating of wax that covers the beetle's body; this wax helps reduce evaporation and preserves precious moisture. It also helps that A. verrucosus is a small species, no more than 8–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in), and as they are most active at dawn and dusk they are easy to overlook. Males and females are virtually identical; the most reliable way to tell the difference is by the antennae, as males have long bristles on the underside while females don't.

Despite their small size-- or perhaps because of it-- desert ironclad beetles are a popular snack for many other desert dwellers, including lizards, snakes, birds, small rodents, and foxes. When threatened, blue death-feinging beetles live up to their name: they drop to the ground, roll onto their backs and play dead. This state can last anywhere from a few seconds to 45 minutes. Once the predator is gone, they are able to use their long legs to easily right themselves and continue with their business. Like most other darkling beetles, this species is an omnivorous scavenger, feeding on dead insects, fruits, lichen, and other plant matter.

The desert ironclad beetle can mate year round, given optimal conditions such as good rainfall and plenty to eat, but they're most active during the summer months. Once a male encounters a female, he courts her by 'tickling' her back with his antennae. If she is receptive, the two mate and then part ways. The female digs a burrow and lays a clutch of eggs in moist soil, where they take 2-3 weeks to hatch. Once larvae emerge, they immedietly begin to seek out organic matter to feed on. Over the next several weeks, they can grow from 2-3 mm (0.07-0.11 in) to 50 mm (2 in)! When they get big enough the larvae burrow into rotting wood and pupate for about a month before emerging as adults. Individuals can go on to live for up to 10 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The IUCN has not evaluated the blue death-feigning beetle, but it's believed that populations are currently stable. The species' primary threat is collection for the pet trade.

If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a ko-fi!

Photos

Mason S. via iNaturalist

Bruce D. Taubert

Hartmut Wisch

[ask-hfjone-airy]

ok the lizard looks like a Sagebrush lizard. It isn't dangerous or invasive. But since it basically has 0 predators they could. Overpopulate. So good luck with that :P

I hope not... I think they're all the same gender, so maybe that wouldn't happen.

[theacedragon0w0]

New Hire

This is pretty much how Sage met Crystal and how they became partners

TW Abuse

Sage wiped the blood that dripped from their nose, Vlad towered over them, his face showing clear disdain for the lizard.

"Get up Sagebrush,"

Sage only nodded, they understood that being roughed up here was better than being by themselves in hell.

"You cannot afford to be sloppy, the workers here need you to be fast, strong, and above all, efficient."

"Yes sir."

__________

Sage splashed water on their face, their muscles ached by the session they had with Vlad. Skimming through the first aid, they placed the instant ice pack against their jaw, hissing at the pain.

They jolted by the sound of the door knocking but they relaxed when they saw Benji enter the cramped storage space.

"Damn, that old bastard really mess you up huh?" Passing Sage a rum and coke, which Sage downed it in one swig.

"Shit Sage, guess today's training was a blast."

"Please, the water here is more potent than what this glass has, and don't worry about me ok?"

Benji smacked their shoulder, "I kinda have to if Vlad's training makes you look like you got ran over, but I do have good news."

Sage scoffed, "I hope it's not another one of your flings that you want to show off."

"It's actually good news for you baby, a couple of the boys overheard that there's going to be another bouncer."

"Benji,"

"And She is single by the way!"

"You know that the whole 'don't shit where you eat' actually means right?"

"Listen, ever since you got here you have never stepped foot outside of this club, and I know you don't like boys given that you are the only legit chick here, so stake me for trying to get you out there."

Sage rolled their eyes, shoving the lion dancer out of the room, but they couldn't help but agree with him. "Maybe you should focus on working for your tips instead of meddling with a bouncer's love life."

"Or lack of!" Benji shouted as he sauntered away just as Sage playfully tossed an ace wrap at him.

___________

"Sagebrush this is Crystal, she'll be working with you as an additional bouncer, I am sure you two would be efficient in keeping the club running smoothly."

Sage shook hands with the sturdy woman, "It's nice to meet you."

Crystal chuckled, "Likewise, I hope you can carry your own because I am not being paid to keep you and those cat boys from harm."

Vlad tapped his cane against the hard floor, "Sagebrush here will demonstrate to you their prowess, show her."

Sage obeyed, catching Crystal off-guard and managed to get her into a headlock. Crystal tapped Sage's arm, which Sage released her from their grip.

"Heh, guess I don't have to worry about you then."

____________

"Wait you never been outside of this joint?"

It had been a month since the two bouncers had been working together, and they were a pretty good team, with the two taking care of any customers that were being to bold with the dancers.

Crystal patted her knees, "Alright, that needs to change, I am taking you out."

Sage's eyebrows raised, "Like, on a date?"

"Shit why not? We make a pretty good team and you deserve it, I know this burger place a couple blocks away, and I'll pay for it!"

_____________

It had been months since that date, how did this happen?

Sage leaned against the sink, their nose bridge stung with the gaping wound that stretched acrossed.

The dinner that they prepared littered near their feet, the shattered plate was also a member to the mess.

"Sage, bunny, I told you that I didn't want that shit chicken rice bake, fuck now look at this mess."

"I'll clean it up, there's that frozen steak dinner that you can throw in the microwave."

Crystal didn't respond, she pulled out the frozen dish and slammed it in the microwave. Sage's ears rung as they carefully scooped up their meal, tossing it in the trash.

They turned their head to see Crystal scarffing down the schlop, tossing the container aside when she finished.

"Hey, bunny, look it was an accident," moving Sage's chin so they could look at her face.

"How 'bout this, there's this dessert place down at the cannibal colony that is selling those small fruit pies that you like."

"Aren't you still pissed at me for trying to make dinner?"

"Look it has been a while since I’ve taken my chubby bunny out and I wanna treat her."

Sage sighed, "Can I at least wear my denim jacket? I worked really hard on it."

"Bunny I told you before, that jacket doesn't suit you, besides, you don't want it stained with the sticky sweets we'll be eating right?"

Sage looked over at the hallway closet, their denim jacket hung there, it pained them that they weren't able to wear it especially since they spent so long on the patchwork; and they couldn't grasp why Crystal was adamant on Sage not wearing it, as some of those patches were from some of the concerts that Crystal took them to.

But they didn't want to press, they can take their food being tossed aside but they would be damn if their jacket was caught in the crossfire.

"Fine, I'll get myself cleaned up."

___________________

[lizardlover-skylarglamrock]

Curious as to where the name "Lizard_Lover" came from since this is a Fnaf related account? Sorry if that sounds rude, I don't mean it to be ;-;

(No worries, I didn't think it was rude :) )

Glad you asked! I'd be happy to explain it! :D

Back on August 4th, 2020, I met my very first pet, Sebastian.💛

The first picture I have of him:

He was a very sweet little lizard that me and my family absolutely adored. He was just about as chill and snuggly as a lizard can get, and my very first actual pet ever (y'know, not including bugs or something like that :p)

Then, August 4th, 2021, we met Sagebrush.💚

He was a bit more... feisty than Seb. Definitely gave us a run for our money with how grouchy he was. lol But he eventually turned into a cuddly boi.

And on the same day, Scooter.🩵

Little teeny tiny baby boy that was smaller than a penny

Then, August 4th, 2022, we had Squirt.💙

He was all over the place. A combination of "I don't wanna be touched" to "hold me all day long and never let me go!"

Same time we met Sandy.💗

She was by far the most "don't touch me" lizard we ever had. lol

And that made sense once we knew she was pregnant.💞

She had nine babies in total on August 11th, 2022 (sadly one didn't make it ,-_-,) none of them were named, however, 'cause we couldn't think of that many. lol

Then, August 5th, 2023, it was Salvador.💚

He was much like Squirt.

Same day we met Sally.🩷

Typical "do not touch me, or so help me..." kinda girl. lol

And last but not least, we have Nugget.🩵

I just got him on December 8th, and while he will never get his toes or tail back, we love him very, very much. :3

And that, my friend, is how I became Lizard_Lover ;)

[herpsandbirds]

I see so many of these lil guys up Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah. They try so hard to pretend to be sticks but they aren't very good at it🤣

Lizard ID - UT, USA:

Henlo, yesss, this is a Northen Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus g. graciosus), family Phrynosomatidae.

[rabbitcruiser]

Mesa Verde National Park (No. 25)

Mesa Verde National Park, established in 1906, features some of the most well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Southwest. More than 22,000 people may have lived on and around Mesa Verde at the beginning of the 1200s. But by the beginning of the 1300s, the area was depopulated, likely as a result of a prolonged drought or other social pressures. The inhabitants largely resettled in Arizona and the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, where their descendants live today as the Pueblo and Hopi people. (The park’s former inhabitants were once called the Anasazi, though the term – which is commonly cited as meaning “ancient enemy” in the Diné language – is considered derogatory by Pueblo people and has fallen out of use).

Mesa Verde’s crown jewels are its cliff dwellings, sprawling structures built in alcoves beneath the mesa tops, with likely uses including habitation, food storage, ceremony and ritual. More than 600 cliff dwellings are scattered throughout the park, though they represent just a fraction of the more than 5,000 known archeological sites within park boundaries.

Amid this archaeological treasure trove, Sun Temple stands out.

Source

[reblogsum-2]

SagebrushLizardSideEye_SheepMountainAnticline_LisaMarks by BLM Wyoming Via Flickr: Sagebrush Lizard, Sheep Mountain Anticline Lisa Marks photo

[ribesaureum]

Lizard at work. I rescued ki from the slippery bathroom floor- ki was having so much trouble walking!- and released it at the base of a sagebrush

[jebwizard]

The Natural Order of Life and Death: A Reflection on Nature's Cycle

I watched a crow chase and catch a small lizard in my backyard. We host a variety of them, Pail Striped Whiptail, New Mexico Whiptail, Western Zebra Tail, Sagebrush, a regular menagerie. Most are small, but there are a couple that give you pause when you come across them. There are Gila Monster lizards in the desert surrounding us. Shy creatures but also venomous. Not normally seen in developed…

[jthume]

Day 19 of the BAT

Struggling with a hook for this post, and all I got is: "pretty rock."

Chances are fairly slim that you will travel Highway 50 and Interstate 70 in Utah. If you find this post, you'll click through the pictures and maybe like what you see, but be warned they are pitiful substitutes. The sad truth is they don't begin to do justice to the landscape. It's fairly magnificent.

What we saw today poses a challenge to writers because we should be able to describe everything we see, but what happens when we're overwhelmed by three-dimensional colors stretched across geologic strata that took millions of years to create under deep lakes that now rest as ghosts and skeletons on today's deserts?

See what I mean?

"Towering buttes, wide valleys, open skies, billowing clouds, and quiet. Oh so very quiet, only to be interrupted by the occasional singular car whizzing by. A deer will hop by, made skittish by the two-legged intruder. A lizard will glare at you for interrupting its time in the sun. The sagebrush waves at you in the dry breeze, its odor fresh after a quick downpour."

Well, I tried. Participation Ribbon for me.

Tomorrow we get to our house, but tonight we sleep in peace because we are inside the Silver State, and Home Means Nevada.

As always, keep following along across social media via the hashtages #ccandjt and #bat2024.

If you want to help us on this extravaganza, our website has books and links to Venmo and such. TIA LYL!

[plethoraworldatlas]

Led almost entirely by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills contain the largest number of anti-wildlife poison pill riders in the 50-year history of the Endangered Species Act, according to a report published today by the Center for Biological Diversity. The report, Paving the Road to Extinction found at least 27 separate attacks on endangered species in the bills. Among the report’s key findings: -26 of the 27 attacks were introduced by Republican members of Congress. -One of the attacks was introduced by Senate Democrats as part of an agreement to maintain “legacy” anti-environmental riders. -Rice’s whales and North Atlantic right whales — two of the world’s most endangered whales — were targeted six times, more than any other species. -17 riders — or over 60% — target specific species, many of which, including lesser prairie chickens and dunes sagebrush lizards, have been waiting decades for protection. “Republicans have weaponized the appropriations process to launch a full-blown assault on our natural heritage,” said Stephanie Kurose, a senior policy specialist at the Center. “These heartless attacks would strip away lifesaving protections from our most imperiled creatures — from wolves to whales to freshwater mussels. If passed, these bills would put multiple species on a direct path to extinction.”

[eazy-group]

Hike the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Trail

New Post has been published on https://eazycamping.net/hike-the-rio-grande-gorge-bridge-trail/

Hike the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Trail

They call New Mexico the Land of Enchantment for a reason. Hiking through it, you’ll find magic big and small. The Rio Grande, grand as it is, would fall under the category of “big magic.” History and natural beauty can be found anywhere and everywhere along this river. It flows from Colorado down to the Gulf of Mexico, sculpting the earth as it goes. If you find yourself in or around Taos, a short walk along the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail is a quick, easy way to drink in some of the enchantment.

A perfect day in New Mexico consists of a burrito smothered in pork green chile followed by a hike through the sagebrush. Those unfamiliar with the desert may feel intimidated by the heat, but a walk along the Rio Grande Gorge is well worth it. This article will guide you on how to get to the West Rim Trail, how to plan for your hike, and some of the nature you might find there.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge: A Bridge to Nowhere

The Rio Grande Gorge is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon — a massive separation in the land formed by millions of years of running water. Located on Pueblo, Ute, and Tigua land, the view down into the canyon is its own lesson in erosion’s awesome power. Hiking along the West Rim should be an easy way to take in this great geographical feature — there’s very little elevation change. You may see some stone art along the trail, as well as some bighorn sheep and lizards scampering away. If you go in the late spring, you may be lucky enough to see some cacti flowering. I recommend rubbing the sagebrush gently in between your fingers and then taking a sniff — it’s an aroma synonymous with the New Mexico desert.

Standing 600 feet tall, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the 10th largest bridge in the U.S.

As you hike south, you’ll be walking away from the region’s small miracle of engineering, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. You may hear locals refer to it as “the high bridge,” though it was once known as “The Bridge to Nowhere” because when it was constructed in the 1960s, there was no funding to continue the road on the other side. Standing around 600 feet over the Rio Grande, it may inspire vertigo. It’s made a bit of a name for itself in Hollywood, too, so you may recognize it from movies such as Paul, Terminator: Salvation, and Wild Hogs. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge blending into the landscape is a great photo opportunity as you hike.

Looking across the gorge, the reddish walls of the canyon appear almost like a cubic mineral formation. The brush stands out against the rock, shifting from sheer drop to gentle slant and back. Floating down the river itself, you could find ancient petroglyphs that speak to the storied relationship between people and the land. This is the great secret of the desert — that it is not in fact arid and lifeless but bursting with life that is all at once resilient, strange, and beautiful.

Just Park & Hike

To get to the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trailhead, drive northwest from Taos on US-64. It’s pretty much a straight shot, just hang left four miles out of town to avoid ending up on NM-522. After you cross the Gorge Bridge itself, pull into the rest area on the left. From there, you can follow the signs and the trail along the gorge. It’s hard to get lost–the huge canyon will be on your left as you walk south.

This AllTrails track will take you two miles out, but you can continue further along the gorge if you feel up to it. The trail along the West Rim is well-established. It may split here and there but try to follow the path most traveled. You’ll weave back and forth, nearer to the gorge and then slightly away. Parts of the trail will be quite rocky, so just take care not to twist an ankle. If you have a bike that can handle semi-rugged terrain, you’ll be able to cover a lot of distance on such flat ground. Keep an eye out for benches, picnic areas, and particularly delicious spots for photography as you go

After a total of 10 miles, you’ll find yourself at the West Rim Petaca Trailhead. Petaca will be a similar experience if you’re prepared for a long day, though its path as a whole may not run as close to the gorge. Nearby where the two trails meet is La Vista Verde Trail, another short hike from which you can look down at the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pueblo de Taos. If you’re interested in sneaking a peek at this area further south, you don’t have to hike the whole way. Take a left onto West Rim Road, just west of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and drive there. If you hit the far less impressive Taos Junction Bridge, you’ve gone too far.

Beware Erosion and Beat The Heat

There’s little to no shade to be found in this region, so be sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water. Be careful about bringing your dog with you, as it will get very uncomfortable for them very quickly when the sun chases away the cool morning air. Sunscreen is a must for this hike in the summer. If you have enough water in your car, it may be worth drenching your hat or your shirt on an especially hot day. Nobody could blame you for feeling a little jealous of the lizards happily sunning themselves while you’re struggling to stay cool. You may fantasize about a canoe trip on the Rio Grande, which is another great way to enjoy this part of the world. If you don’t do well with high temperatures, consider taking this hike closer to the winter months.

Approaching the gorge, you’ll see some smaller animal trails that run a little closer to the edge. These will be tempting to follow — you may want to keep looking down at the Rio Grande, and who could blame you? Be careful, though, because erosion is always a threat close to the edge. Stay on the ground that you know you can trust. It’s important to stay on well-traveled terrain as well, honoring the Leave No Trace principles. There’s an especially delicate type of soil in the desert that you must be careful to avoid any time you’re in the Southwest. It’s known as “Crypto.” No, not that crypto — Cryptobiotic Soil. It will look like a dark, mottled crust on the earth. In such a well-traveled area, you’re more likely to see the younger variety, which can be subtle and difficult to spot. Crypto takes a long, long time to form, and it’s vital for preventing erosion in the desert. A single step can destroy it, so take care and stay on the trail

Feel The Magic

Hiking, biking, or driving through the desert can feel like a difficult undertaking. Since sun exposure only needs a couple of hours to take a real toll on the body, you need to know what you’re getting into. Not having sun coverage or not having enough water can leave you taking heavy steps with a sandpaper tongue in your mouth. However, these factors all serve to underscore the beauty of those desert places where the water runs through.

The West Rim Trail, with its view of the bridge, is the perfect spot to watch the sun rise or set. Walk a little ways, bring a breakfast to-go, and unroll a blanket in the early morning. Watching the Rio Grande running through this gorge of its own making is a class in the way things change slowly. The Gorge Bridge spanning that same divide is a lesson in how things change quite quickly.

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