Lizards are nesting!

May 07, 2016

441

Lizards are nesting!I thought I'd share a few pictures of a lizard that nested today. Fair warning, this post does include a closeup view of an egg coming out of a lizard's cloaca. It's nothing too graphic because it's from the side, but I figure I should give you a heads up.
Enjoy!
                
(photo by Michael Carlo; this lizard found a big pile of loose soil to nest in at the root ball of a fallen pine tree)

(photo by Michael Carlo; lizard in process of digging hole for nest)
                
(photo by Michael Carlo; she is now turned around and laying eggs in the hole)

(photo by Michael Carlo; one of her last eggs on its way into the nest)

(photo by Michael Carlo; a view from the other side)
                
(photo by Michael Carlo; she spent about 30 minutes pushing dirt back into the hole to cover her eggs)

Michelle like this.

0 comments

Join the conversation!Sign In

About This Project

Can lizards change their nesting behavior to survive climate change?

Clemson University

The decision of where to nest is perhaps the greatest one a lizard can make for her offspring. Many lizards dig nests in open, sunny spots because warm temperatures help lizard embryos grow and survive. However, climate warming is raising temperatures at those nest sites to the point they may soon become harmful and even lethal to lizard embryos. This project investigates whether lizards can choose shadier, cooler places to nest, which could buffer offspring from effects of climate change.