Podarcis sicula - Italian Wall Lizard

Temporary housing for some lizards I caught in early October, 2009.

A couple of weeks ago Tatiana and I went to Topeka, KS in search of lizards. We came back with three juveniles and two hatchlings after only about an hour of looking. The Italian Wall Lizard, or Ruin Lizard, is not native to the U.S. but several decades ago a small population found a new home in Topeka. Now there are lizards everywhere, if you're looking in the right part of town. We spent our entire urban herping adventure in the parking lot of a restaraunt. I was only able to catch five of them that day, but we saw dozens of them scurrying through the leaves and landscaping along one fence and near a dumpster.