Stump-Tail Cutie

As August ends, I found this little stump-tailed cutie sitting out where the trash bins go.

I’m amazed that I got pictures – it was acting extremely oddly. Specifically, it never moved or made any attempt to run away. I came around the corner behind me, dragging two trash barrels and opening the gate, so normally it would have been halfway across the yard or at least into the vines in a heartbeat. They’re skittish! (It keeps them from being eaten.)

But this dude apparently sat there through all of that, then sat there while I grabbed the first barrel and took three or four steps toward it. When I saw it finally I froze, carefully pulling out my phone. Through all of this it never moved.

I set down the first barrel, then walked behind it another couple of steps so that I was behind it. From the front I could see the beautiful markings on its back and those long toes typical of California fence lizards.

From the back, it was obvious that it was missing a big chunk of its tail. You can see where the stump is starting to grow the rest of the tail back. But even with me walking around, taking pictures, dropping off trash barrels, and so on, it never twitched. I was starting to wonder if it might be hurt, or even dead.

I went back out to the front yard to grab the second trash barrel and it was gone when I got back, so not dead. I also saw it later in the day (the tail makes the ID easy) running along the base of the fence in the dirt and debris from the vines, so it didn’t look very hurt either.

I hope if it needs some of that Neosporin for its tail it will ask. I’ve got plenty!