A Western Fence Lizard, known as Geronimo, has become a regular presence in the backyard garden of Judy Ryan, a UC Master Gardener. The lizard is recognized for helping to control pests such as ants, beetles, aphids, grasshoppers and flies without interfering with vegetable crops.
Ryan recalls childhood experiences chasing lizards and observing their ability to regrow lost tails. She notes that Geronimo now measures about six inches from snout to vent with an equally long tail. “Fat, lazy, filled with the inertia of advanced middle age, he lets me get up close for a one-sided conversation, as long as I don’t block the sun,” Ryan writes.
To support Geronimo and other lizards in her garden, Ryan constructed a habitat including flat stones, a woodpile, native plants and areas for shelter from predators like neighborhood cats. Lizards like Geronimo enter a state called brumation during winter—a period of dormancy when their metabolism slows—but are expected to reappear in early spring.
Ryan describes the challenges faced by young lizards: “In June I’ll keep an eye out for their leathery eggs…Unfortunately, although they lay as many as 15 eggs, not many survive. In my neighborhood, opossums, ants (ironically since they will grow to eat ants), and birds are the prevalent egg predators.”
Western Fence Lizards typically live five to eight years. Ryan concludes: “But he is a joyful addition to my garden experience.”
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), affiliated with the University of California https://ucanr.edu/, supports statewide outreach by sharing science-based practices that improve lives and livelihoods. The organization operates local offices in all 58 California counties along with nine Research and Extension Centers serving diverse ecosystems https://ucanr.edu/. UC ANR applies university expertise through research initiatives aimed at supporting communities across the state https://ucanr.edu/.
Glenda Humiston serves as vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources https://ucanr.edu/.