Learning how lizards live

JEROME - Living in a desert climate, residents of the Magic Valley Region have a great opportunity to view lizards. Finding and studying these fascinating animals can be a great time. Although closely related to snakes, lizards are easily distinguished by having limbs and short bodies. Most Idaho lizards live in the hot, desert canyons of the southwest. Most lizards lay eggs from which young hatch, feed on small invertebrates, and are active during daytime. In the Magic Valley there are several different lizards to view, including: longnose leopard, western fence, sagebrush or "blue-belly", shorthorned or "horny toad", side-blotched, western whiptail, desert horned and the western skink. Many of the lizards' names describe some part of their physical characteristics or describe the type of area they inhabit. When searching out lizards to view, it is best to wear hiking boots or shoes that give ankle support and long paints. In our area, lizards are commonly seen in the rocks and sagebrush in the Snake River Canyon. Take along binoculars to view the quick reptiles. As people approach, lizards will often quickly disappear from sight, running around rocks or into cracks. Binoculars allow people to study them from a distance. For more information on lizards, go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/wildlife/nongame/