15d • General discussion
Who's sharing your backyard?
Have you ever stopped to take a closer look at who’s already sharing your backyard? 🦎
If you have kids around, or if you’re just a curious grownup like me, this can be a fun little nature treasure hunt.
Backyard lizards are quiet helpers. They mind their business, do important work, and ask for nothing in return.
Depending on where you live, these little backyard neighbors may be resting for the winter or still popping out on warm days. Here are a few you might spot when they do.
🦎 Anoles
Common in the Southeast and warmer areas.
You might see them doing tiny push-ups on a fence or changing shades of green and brown.
Why they’re good neighbors:
• They eat mosquitoes and small pest insects
• They help keep the insect population balanced naturally
• Their presence usually means a healthy environment
🦎 Geckos
Often spotted in warmer climates, especially around homes and porch lights.
They’re fast, a little goofy, and surprisingly bold.
Why they’re good neighbors:
• They snack on moths, flies, and bugs drawn to lights
• They reduce the need for chemical pest control
• They’re harmless and fascinating to watch up close
🦎 Fence Lizards or Skinks
Found across much of the U.S., including cooler regions.
You’ll see them sunning on rocks, woodpiles, or garden edges.
Why they’re good neighbors:
• They eat ants, beetles, and other ground-dwelling insects
• They help keep backyard ecosystems balanced by quietly doing their part
• They help break down the insect cycle by eating larvae before bugs ever become a problem.
If you spot one today, take a moment. Watch how still they can be. How aware. How perfectly suited they are to their tiny role.
Feel free to share a photo or just tell us what you saw while visiting your backyard neighbors. 🐾💚
Sometimes learning starts right outside the door.
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Who's sharing your backyard?
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