Yay! yay! Bill woke up and remembers me! Just this morning I was thinking that this week of hot weather should be enough to bring the other lizards out of hibernation came out on the porch just now and there was Bill on the small stone wall. He was a little skittish so I had to throw the first couple mealworms to him and after that he practically let me pet him.
I went and got another beetle for him so I could get a close-up.
I haven't seen Bill in a few days, but just realized there's another large spiny lizard living on the other side of the low rock wall. At first I thought it was a different lizard, but now, comparing photos, I think it might be Bill, though this one seems skittish. In my observations, they are kind of like cats in that they will have "their spot" for a while and then all of a sudden decide they like somewhere else better. But if it is Bill, I don't know why he's being skittish.
Anyway, what's amusing is that there is a pair of curved bill thrashers nesting in a big cactus in the yard. They have learned that when I'm whistling it means I'm tossing out mealworms for the lizards and they will come and snatch them.
He wants more. 😁
He's had three beetles and about a dozen mealworms and he's clearly still hungry. He's been hibernating since November, so it's not surprising.
Yeah, when I realized I could tame them a couple years ago, the most surprising thing was their individuality and how some were really sweet and some could be peaky and some were jumpy and some were calm.
I think they are far more aware than we give them credit for. I have had iguanas and tiger monitors living in my home and they adapt and interact effectively. They fascinate me. Its too cold in my house now with wood heat, so I stick to mammals.
My camera shoots fascists
Cedar Fen Farm
Cedar Fen Farm
Cat West
Alliat