Lizards in the Garden

**sanderson** 10/24/2013, 1:19 pm

So, lizards are bug eaters. But do they also eat veggies?? I found a little lizard sunning on the south wall of the house by my new green bean bed (1 x 3'). Both the leaves and beans have large bite holes. Hope it's not my little lizard. Comment welcome.

BrianDorry55 10/24/2013, 1:58 pm

It depends on the species of lizard...Here in Florida, all of our native lizard species (anoles, geckos, skinks, fence lizards) are strictly carnivores. They won't touch plants. Now we do have some introduced species like iguanas or curly-tail lizards would probably be happy to munch on some veggies in our gardens...(luckily I don't have them this far north)...

You're in California, I'm not familiar with your native lizard species there...but I would imagine they would be more likely to eat vegetables just based on what I know about the few species that are out there...if you posted a picture I could probably tell you if that's what was munching your garden.

Then again, maybe you came out right after he snatched up the real culprit!

**sanderson** 10/25/2013, 1:37 am

He looked like the common lizard from my childhood - I would call him a fence lizard. When I get home, I will try to photo him so I can try to identify if he eats Dragon Tongue beans!! Very Happy

cheyannarach 10/25/2013, 1:23 pm

Lizards scare me, it's times like this I am thankful to live in the North! I am curious to see a picture though. Most people that have had lizards in there gardens seem to like them, hope your's is just a bug eater!

Marc Iverson 10/25/2013, 4:32 pm

I didn't even know there were any lizards that are not carnivores except some iguanas. And even some of those will eat eggs. I'm curious what you guys will find out about herbivorous lizards.

**sanderson** 10/26/2013, 1:49 am

Can't wait to get home Sunday and see if he is still around. I miss my garden and cat, who is in a kennel :-(.

Lindacol 10/26/2013, 2:10 am

I'm in southern California and as far as I know all the lizards in this area eat insects. They are great at picking off flies.

audrey.jeanne.roberts 10/26/2013, 2:43 am

I love our little lizards - they consume a large amount of bugs and ours don't eat any plants that I've ever seen.

BrianDorry55 10/28/2013, 9:31 am

I didn't realize that you guys had fence lizards out west...they are completely carnivorous...

Some Cali lizards like Collared lizards, Whiptail lizards, or Banded rock lizards would be a little more likely to eat plants or fruits/veggies...but it wouldn't be their first choice.

**sanderson** 10/29/2013, 1:10 am

I've been home for a day now but haven't seen that lizard! I rained last night and was cloudy today so maybe he is in hiding. He picked a good spot on the south side of the house, where the boxes are set up on 2" rocks. There is a also a closed down spout that carries water underground out to the street. Perfect spot. Now, is he the culprit eating my green beans? Hmmm

cheyannarach 10/29/2013, 11:06 am

Keep us posted, I am curious to see if it is him!

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