Actually out and about for a change. Did the Met up Group thing (they have them all over the country http://www.meetup.com/) last night. Nice evening. Back to work today. Weather is beautiful but we’re pushing 90’s…so much for spring.

I was reading about things to do in Palm Beach recently and came across a “Fun Fact” “The chubby lizards scurrying between the bougainvillea and along the sidewalks may look like they own the place but they’re actually a non-native species introduced deliberately to Palm Beach in 1940. Edible Orlando Spring 2014. It goes on to name them as the Bahamian curly-tailed lizards.

So I decided I’d find out the reason for the deliberate introduction. “Palm Beach and Martin Counties.reported the species as an introduced exotic…. The initial introduction was reported to have occurred as a result of 20 pairs released…Pendleton and Clarke Avenues…Palm Beach…” http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1113&context=icwdm_usdanwrc
We have the where.

“This species was…released…in an attempt to rid sugarcane of insect pests, and it has since expanded both north and south (Weigl et al. 1969). This native of the Bahama Islands is also popular in the pet trade, which has resulted in additional releases and escapes. It is now common in parks, in agricultural lands, along canal edges, along seawalls, and in other habitats in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). .” http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/northern-curleytail-lizard/ And now the why.

“The precise effects of this species on the native lizards and other fauna of Florida remain…unexplored…The negative effects of invasive reptiles may not be readily…apparent. As a prime case in point,the devastating effects of the invasive brown tree snake on Guam was not recognized for decades…” http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1325&context=icwdm_usdanwrc

SO now we know and as in my own case chubby probably isn’t a good thing!

BUT lets be positive and look at collectibles. I have a lizard bracelet but it’s not for sale.

Google take me away

Kokopelli Lizard Collectible Sculpture Sandstone ALSO metal: $15 – $38

Figurines Polystone $15, Bead for $23, Aluminum only $29, while ceramic as well as wire and bead ones seem to top out for $65

Character Collectibles: Kung Fu Lizzie Lizard Role Model $30 … a 2002 Stuffed Wonderful Lizard Of Oz Green …$115

Wooden carved Lizard masks African $35 and Mayan $60

Wall hangings (Mexican $53) and Signs (Gecko welcome for $60)

and the lizard you’d most like to find in your storage area:
Harmony Kingdom Quick Fix Lizard Gecko Uk Made Figurine for $550

ITS ANOTHER GREAT DAY FOR AN ADVENTURE!
WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?