IN SEARCH OF WESTERN FENCE LIZARDS: Heres an interesting query from islander Pat Collier: Has anyone seen western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis, on the se shore of Maury Island this summer? I usually see them often south of my house, on the deck, in the yard, on the beach. But Ive not seen any this year! > > Years ago I was told or I read that, although they are common east of the mountains se Maury Island was one of only 2 places in King County where they are found. I cannot find any documentation of this. Perhaps this is supported, if it can be enlarged enough, by the map at: > naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/maphtml/scoc_nm.html > > The Burke Museum website says: > Cool Biology Facts > > • A protein in the western fence lizard’s blood can kill the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, the most common tick-carried disease in the northern hemisphere. > • When disease-carrying ticks feed on the lizard’s blood, the disease-causing bacteria are killed and the ticks no longer carry the disease! > burkemuseum.org/herpetology/reptile/western_fence_lizard > > However, it seems to be more complicated according to this article: > Tick population plummets in absence of lizard hosts > newscenter.berkeley.edu/2011/02/15/ticks-lizard-lyme-disease/ > > I have read that the lizards are susceptible to pesticides, etc. (I > dont use poisons but neighbors do.) > > I would appreciate hearing if anyone has observed them on Maury Island. When? Where? > > > Pat
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:11:10 +0000
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