How Do I Identify a Lizard in My Yard?

How Do I Identify a Lizard in My Yard?. Identifying a lizard in your yard is not a simple task. Many species of lizards can be right out your back door depending on where you live. To add to the difficulty, foreign species of lizards, lizards that don't normally live in your neighborhood, could also be in your back yard. Numerous lizards are available for purchase in your local pet store that may not normally be found in your hometown or even your home country. When a pet reptile escapes from a home, it is often able to survive in the foreign climate where it escaped.

Things Needed

• Camera
• Notepad
• Internet, library or local bookstore

Step 1

You will need a picture of your lizard to help you identify iexiTou may need the picture to compare it to pictures of lizards that you find. You will not be able to walk up to the lizard and take its picture, so try to sit quietly in an area it frequents and wait for it to get close to you. If you seek the help of an expert or amateur to assist you in identifying your lizard, you will need to start by showing him a picture.

Step 2

Knowing the size, habitat, diet and colors of the lizard will help identify the lizard. Estimate the size of the lizard and make a note of it. Since you will not be able to walk up to the lizard and put a measuring tape next to it, try to compare it to a common household object like a fork or toaster so you can measure the object to find the size of the lizard. Observe where the lizard likes to live. The lizard may live in the trees, live among the rocks or burrow underground. Note the colors of the lizard. Finally, try to observe what the lizard eats. It may eat anything from vegetation to insects to small mammals. If the picture alone does not help you identify it, its habits, living conditions and diet may.

Step 3

Herpetologists study, keep and breed reptiles. Local amateur and professional herpetologists can help you identify your lizard. You can find herpetologists in reptile clubs, reptile rescues, universities, reptile shows and pet stores. Bring your picture of the lizard and all of the information you have gathered about your lizard with you when you meet with a herpetologist..

Step 4

You can find experts online as well. Breeders, reptile rescues and reptile message boards regularly help people identify lizards. If you are unable to find help online, your local library or bookstore may help you.

References

• National Biological Information Infrastructure -- Identifying Lizards
• Tree of Life Web Project - Life as a Lizard Unit: An Introduction to Lizards
• Reptileknowledge.com - What Kind of Lizard is This? How to Identify a Species of Lizard