Lizard tales...

From time to time you come across an unexpected sight that reminds you just how glorious nature really is. Finding lizard eggs and watching tiny, fully independent and perfectly formed young lizards eat through their protective shell was one such moment. Nestled in a pile of unused rubble we stumbled upon a collection of tiny eggs incubating in their damp and warm surroundings. 

As the tiny lizards emerged they gained warmth from the surrounding rocks and pavements, building up their energy to begin a life living in and around the rocks and rockery here at La Pasera. At this age they are fairly trusting and you can get close enough to admire these miniature dragons.

Since building and extending our rockery garden the number of lizards has increased as it is an ideal habitat with many underground cavities and lots of limestone outcrops from which to soak up the warmth and feast on passing insects. The lizard can often be seen pursuing each other through the peaks and troughs of the rockery, resting for a while and resuming the chase for a mate. 

At this time of year it is common to see adults begin to shed their skin as they grow year on year. With a fresh skin their scales soak up the midday sun as they cling on to the rough rocks with their hand-like claws.

Elsewhere in and around the bog garden is a different type of lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) that glows emerald green and is three times the size of the common garden lizard. These beautiful specimens are much harder to spot but when you do, you really cannot miss them.

Wentworth and Gawber the cats, like to torment the lizards whenever they can but it is rare they catch one and seem somewhat at a loss to understand what has happened when the lizard detaches its tail in defence, leaving it twitching on the ground and causing just enough distraction to make a quick escape. The tail always grows again and you can always spot those that have had the misfortune of an encounter.

Gawber and Wentworth are progressing well now so thank you for all your good wishes. Treatments continue and we are keeping a close eye on them until fully recovered.

We have a mosaic in the garden which Luis created to celebrate the lizards we share our plot with. As the sun shines, the amethyst eyes sparkle and the rings of pebbles frame the slate lizard perfectly.