And, so just why does the Sson show up at my new abode with a watering container from my former potted garden? Turns out that when I looked into the jug, there at the bottom was probably the first skink -- and likely the first lizard of any sort -- to show up in this particular assisted living apartment.
No, he didn't move in with me. Sson courteously removed said lizard back to the plot of dirt where he -- and several fellows -- were uncovered. Do note that there are two other reptilian critters in addition to the highly polished, photogenic skinks in the picture below.
Don't know if these (above, below) pix are of my visitor or one of his/her brothers. However, being as I now live on the second floor, I doubt if I'll be visited by such lizards as these in the foreseeable future. Until the Sson's next visit, that is.
Error message just in from the Sson!!!I doofed on my semi-hazy ID of that lizard I had done brought over to you
the other day!
Actually, NO SKINK was he at all, but rather an ALLIGATOR LIZARD!
Looked it up today whence you posted it on your blog...
Most likely, it be the so-called "Arizona alligator lizard" or "Madrean
Alligator Lizard".
It's formal "scientific" name is Elgaria kingii.
According to at least one semi-official site (Anapsid.org), Elgaria was
formerly called Gerrhontus- oh, how we do love our names and occasional
changing thereof in biology...
Please jump on to your blog and tell all that the ol' Sson biologist has
corrected himself!
The "Skink" has wonderfully transformed into an alligator!
Lotsa skinks here, ca. 390 species,3 or 4 of which are evident in our yard. Ours are smaller than those SS un earthed. I trust that they have a warm den to return to.
ReplyDeleteHermano
What a beautiful skink! So where did he find them?
ReplyDeleteYou need some hanging bird feeders...
hehe - nice that he could smuggle one in to you for a visit *winks* Very fun little critters! Boy, I had a hard time finding the two other little critters in the group photo!
ReplyDeleteFunny - I abhor snakes, yet think lizards are cute. Do these lose their tails if caught by them?
ReplyDeletebro -- really warm den? I seriously doubt it; these guys just wait for the weather to warm up & the next thing you know, they're out all over, skittering hither & yon & doing lizard push-ups.
ReplyDeletedotter -- under the pots...
frame -- I didn't see them at first, either...
avus -- yes, indeed, tail loss is common amongst skinks.
They are so beautiful. Wish we had them around here, with all our mosquitos and other insects. WAHH I want one.
ReplyDeleteLooks like two are a male and female. I have never seen a skink in my yard in Chino.......... how interesting their pattern is.
ReplyDeletejean -- I think that the shared son may have removed one of those lovely skinks to the wet lowlands for his collection; maybe if you hinted, he might collect one for you one of thee days...
ReplyDeletelady -- I appear to have plenty of the guys; maybe it has to do with ponderosa pines.
You should have kept the little bugger. He's kinda cute. :)
ReplyDeletekate -- neither skinks or Arizona alligator lizards are allowed permanent residence...too bad
ReplyDeleteWell, a lizard by any other name. I think it is quite beautiful, with it's beautiful markings. A shame you no longer have a garden.
ReplyDeleteThey look quite skinky to me! They're very beautiful certainly.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post. I use to catch Aligator lizards in California, in the Bay Area, when I was a lad.
ReplyDeletesteve -- what sorts of lizards to you have these days in Germany?
ReplyDeleteAlligator Lizards? I doubt if we have this species out here in India. We do have the Banded Gecko though.
ReplyDelete