
lizardry 5
July 2024
Scents


Lizards have femoral pores on the trailing edge of their hind legs which secrete a waxy substance from their holocrine glands, as seen in these pictures of Hector.
This may enable them to mark territory, not only for their own purposes, but also give off a scent which would flag up their special places to other newly arriving lizards.
This was seen when a newly arrived lizard, later named Ragnall, went directly to two sites which Gladys used regularly. I don’t think Ragnall could ever have seen the sites in use. Both were in patches of Spanish daisies and could not have been seen at distance. I think that there must have been a scent trail to them across the patio and through the undergrowth.
In August I had observed an immature lizard among the rocks on the steps at the front door some 15 metres away from the patio area and the strawberry bed. This youngster ( Ragnall ) was having difficulty getting back up the steps and is the only lizard I have seen actually losing grip and falling half metre off a wall!

A day later she came down the front steps,crossed the patio and went through the strawberry patch directly to Gladys’ favourite flat stone where she basked for fifteen minutes.

Gladys’ stone

Ragnall on it
She could not have seen Gladys there earlier as it was hidden by clumps of Spanish Daisies. After basking,she went back up the path and went into the space under the flagstone which Gladys has used as a hibernaculum and a regular safe place.. Similarly I do not think Ragnall could ever have seen the space in use, and I suggest that in both of these instances there was probably some scent which she recognized,and followed like a bloodhound.
Next day Ragnall settled in to Gladys’ usual spot on the red tiles and was promptly driven off. (Note difference in sizes…Gladys adult above, Ragnall, immature, below.)

Within a day Ragnall considered Gladys’ space under the flagstone as her own, and defended it against a small newcomer, driving her off with some vigour. (Data for a study on Territory??)

Gladys under the flagstone

Ragnall
I wonder if there are universal scents which are recognized by all lizards, or whether Ragnall is related to Gladys and has inherited the ability to recognize individual scents shared by members of a family? If it is safe for a sibling it is safe for me ? A close look at the pictures above show similarities in the markings on their lower eyelids,and is part of a future study suggesting that matching markings indicate a shared parent. (?)
Male or Female ID??
What is the sex of a newcomer? Heavier neck and shoulders are an accepted characteristic of males,

Agravain left has strong shoulders,Gladys right is relatively slim.
but there are plenty of slim males who could pass as females at first sight. ( over the 5 years of observation the populations have seen 3 or 4 times as many females as males ).. My rule of thumb is that they are female until they are seen mating…. as in the the cases of Lancelot,Hector, and Bedivere ( Originally Beatrice! )
(Easily noted in the courtship and consummation stages, and obvious in the post-coital stages when the exhausted male lies supine and the female actively fusses around him!)

Agravain looks tired after mating with Gladys.

Look out for Lizard Watch 6 around August 30 th when it will deal with the speed of re- generation of predated tails……..males up to 2mm per day, females 1.7 mm per day.
Raymond Wergan.