Lizards - Reptile in the Food Forest

In general, when we think about creating a natural habitat on our property, we are focused on beautiful birds and butterflies. Often, we forget about the important reptiles.

My food forest is full of lizards. I love it when I spot a lizard sitting on a rock soaking up the sun. The sound they make running on the wood chips when they are startled always puts a smile on my face. It's hilarious to watch them doing their "push-ups". They are just so much fun to watch in the garden.

Looks like we will have a bunch of baby lizards running around the food forest soon

Why Invite Lizards to your garden

Lizards are very beneficial to gardeners. Small lizards feed on insects and larvae, while larger lizards will eagerly slurp up slugs and snails. Lizards feed on a wide variety of small insects such as crickets, cockroaches, moths, grubs, beetles, flies and grasshoppers. Don't bother trying to teach your lizards eating manners. They don't chew their food, they swallow it whole.

How to attract Lizards to Your Garden

Untidy gardens are great for lizards. They need places to hide and cover when hunting and feeding. They also need shelters when it's really hot or cold outside. Put out some rotting wood, rocks, or stones around the garden to provide cover for the lizards. In my food forest, lizards like to use the shade tarp as shelter.

The most important part a gardener can do to help attract lizards to the property is to stop the use of chemicals. Wiping out the insect population in your garden with a pesticide may seem like a good idea, but in doing so you are removing the food source for the lizards. If they don't have anything to eat, they won’t hang around your garden.

Lizards are incredibly efficient when it comes to moisture retention. However, they still appreciate a drink or two of water especially during really hot Summer months. Find a protected spot in the garden and put out a shallow bowl of water, your lizards will drink it right up.

Now sit back and watch. There is no need to try and find lizards to bring to your garden. If you build it, they will come.

All the lizard photos come from my food forest