Lizards

Generally when we think of backyard habitat, we think of beautiful birds and butterflies, fantasticfrogs, persistent possums and a host of other cute critters. Unfortunately, we tend to forget aboutone of the most important and most vulnerable of our native vertebrates – the reptiles!

Now, before you recoil in horror, or turn off the computer to watch Junior MasterChef, considerthis: our urban reptile and frog populations have declined enormously since European settlement, tothe point that one in four of our 850 reptile species are now in serious strife.

Think that’s no big deal? Think again. Of the 850 species of reptile found in Australia, 90% of theseare found nowhere else in the world, meaning we really have to do something about this rapiddecline, and fast. There are five distinct families of lizards in Australia; gecko’s, dragons, skinks,legless lizards and goannas, many of which would love to hang out at your place!

Reptiles get seriously overlooked when we talk about habitat gardening, but they are enormouslyimportant in a biodiverse backyard. But, how do we encourage them in, and, more importantly, howdo we ensure they survive and thrive in our gardens? This factsheet is designed to give you a swagof ideas, tips, tricks, dos and don’t when it comes to creating a lizard longue at your place.

Love Your Lizards and Can the Chemicals!Not convinced that a lizard or two is the ideal addition to your garden? How about the promise offree, natural pest control in the patch? Many lizards and little grass skinks feed on insects andlarvae, while larger lizards such as Blue-tongues and shinglebacks will happily slurp up slugs andsnails. While we are talking about lizard lunches, it is important to avoid using chemicals andproducts in the garden that may harm or prove fatal to your beloved lizards. Wiping out the insectpopulation in your garden with a pesticide may seem like a good idea, but in doing this you are

removing the lizards’ food source, and, if they can’t get a feed, they won’t hang around. Avoid usingsnail and slug pellets, as these can prove deadly to our lovely lizards!

Gimme Shelter!To encourage lizards to your garden, provide the following:

Tussock grasses, groundcovers and hiding spots in rocks and logs.■

Protected sunny spots on rocks, logs or brick paths■

Natural leaf litter to support insects and larvae■

Logs, fallen branches, natural cracks in soil and ground-cover plants■

Lizards need debris that will provide shelter and a bit of a hiding place from critters that might makeour lizards their lunch. This can include leaf litter, wood mulches, twigs on the ground, rocks, logs,old clay pipes, appropriate native plants – all of these give lizards shelter, and provide habitat forinsects and micro-organisms, delicious if you are a lizard!

Some native plants that lizards love include: Dwarf Baeckia (Baeckia sp.), Dianella sp., Purple CoralPea (Hardenbergia violacea), Mat Rush (Lomandra longifolia), Native Violet (Viola hederacea),Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Weeping Grass (Microleana stipoides), Wallaby Grass(Austrodanthonia spp.) and assorted Grevilleas and Bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.) to attract insects.Don’t forget to mulch these plants with a nice layer of chunky leaf and wood based mulch (not pinebark or redgum).

Lizards Rock!

Lizards, unlike us, are cold-blooded and rely on the sun to raise their body temperature and keepthem happy and warm. Lizards love nothing more than lounging the day away on rocks, logs orbrick paths, but do ensure that the sunning area is protected from predators, and offers lizardshelter nearby, just in case they are startled out of their sunning slumber. A really good idea is to

elevate the rocks slightly, or put them in a little pile so the lizard can slip under it if threatened.Whack a few plants nearby, and you’ve got yourself a Lovely Lizard Longue!

Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking!

Lizards get the bulk of their moisture from the food they consume, and are incredibly efficient whenit comes to moisture retention, however they will happily have a drink if water is provided, especiallyin really hot weather. Pop out a shallow bowl, in a protected spot and your lizards will lap it up!

Okay, there is one rule to remember here… if you build it, they will come! There is no need to headdown to the local park and collect lizards, and, in most places, this is illegal and can draw a heftyfine, so please don’t do it! Lizards will seek out a well designed and lizard-friendly gardern, and,although it won’t happen overnight, it will happen!

Once they have moved in, you can pretty much sit back and enjoy. Try and keep pets away from yourlizards (they do tend to munch and frighten them), and, don’t rake up mulch, leaf litter and sticks toooften… this upsets the little ecosystem, and can do more harm than good.

Now all that is required is to sit back on a sunny summers day, and enjoy your lizards lounging inyour patch!

Lizard Pictures by Mary Trigger (SGA)