A question answered

I recently received a question about leopard lizards from Susan:

Love your comments/posts! I was just wondering if you could tell me how to sex leopard lizards? I have 2 (long-noses), approx 2 yrs old, neither has shown breeding colors yet, so I can't tell that way...any info would help. Thanks!

Well Susan, the females don't show breeding colors until spring usually right after hibernation. But there is another way to tell the difference between males and females without having to wait a half a year. Male leopard lizards have enlarged postanal scales located under the tail by doo doo hole and females don't. This applies to American iguanids which include collared lizards, leopard lizards, horned lizards, chuckwallas, anoles, fence lizards, side blotches, etc.

Hope this answers your question and good luck with your lizards!

The blunt nosed leopard lizard

Here's a short but sad story brought to you by Ollie.

I would like to introduce you to the blunt nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia silus). Due to construction and vanishing habitat in San Joaquin Valley located in California, they have become endangered and are now protected by the Federal government. There are approximately 60,000 left and the numbers are dwindling every year.

The blunt nosed leopard lizard are not the only animals being affected. Other animals include the giant kangaroo rat and the riparian brush rabbit.

Hate mail

Whoa... I was recently the recipient for some hate mail here on my blog and an anonymous (probably also a Republican) one at that:

You aren't cute. You're a vile, cold-blooded foe of mammalian life. Were you just 80x bigger, you would gladly devour your innocent keeper and every participant on this blog without a second thought. I don't see why I should respect you. You're a lizard punk. Mammals rule, lizards drool.

I'm here to clarify that message. Yes, I am indeed cold-blooded but do I not bleed if cut?? As for being cute. I am not cute but classically handsome -- mind you, there is a wide gap between those two adjectives. In addition, I would not be surprised if I was related to dinosaurs. If I were 80 times bigger, I would probably be the size of a small cat since I am only 17 grams. And please define 'punk' -- do you mean the literal 1970s reference post disco??

Mr. Anonymous, I am not demanding any respect and you are allowed your opinions but please don't hide behind a mask. It sounds like you have some issues with reptiles and it should be taken care of immediately.

Sincerely,
Oliver Clothes Off Ollylain
aka Ollie