What are these two doing? When I came upon them they were completely still--they weren't fighting, and it doesn't look like sex. Then again, what do I know about lizard sex? It's been a long time since I dated reptiles.
Here's the side view:
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Bite Club
What are these two doing? When I came upon them they were completely still--they weren't fighting, and it doesn't look like sex. Then again, what do I know about lizard sex? It's been a long time since I dated reptiles.
Here's the side view:
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34 comments:
I vote for Zen way of fighting. I do not like the expression on the face of the one at the left.
The catching eye of the photographer is a mistery for me.
Really, the mystery of it all!
What a catch for you. Your critters are quite beautiful, whatever they are doing.
What great pics! They're pretty cute, for being lizards and all.
Nice catch...Looks like they are not scared of you..
"Aaaaaaaaand in THIS corner!"
[… 10 years go by …]
"From the wild northern regions of the Hahamongna Basin!"
[… 6.7 years go by …]
"Tipping his own scales at tha-ree point one ounces …"
[… 12 years go by …]
This morning I did a bit more research and discovered they could be either fighting or mating. If I knew how to tell their gender it would be easy to figure out. Scroll down this page at Californiaherps.com to "the breeding season" section and you'll see that head-biting is part of both activities.
Great shots of these alligator lizards. What is remarkable (besides the extraordinary photography!) is that they both appear to have their original tails. I think, as the alligators age, they tend to lose their tails through one way or another. That leads me to guess these may be two juvenile lizards.
Alpha lizarding? That or foreplay. I'm glad no one had his tool out yet and they were only in the whisper sweet nothing stage of courting. :)
Youngsters they may be, Michael. Older folks don't go in for this stuff quite as much, do they?
Shan, I agree, although it would have been a hell of a photo.
Obviously nerves of steel, too, as I'm confident they felt your footstep vibrations even through the concrete. Perhaps they're thinking "Human ... never see us if we're still". What they didn't know was that it was a fine photographer with a great eye they were dealing with.
Well spotted, Petrea!
Those are fantastic photos. I can't help thinking of the cockney gecko in the Geiko advert.
Chuck's probably right - they know you're there, but their mother always told them that if they stay perfectly still, they'll blend in with the background. I've a feeling the boy is asking the pretty girl for a date.
Thanks, Chuck. Yeah, doesn't it seem like the gray one is looking at the camera? "Uh, scram, party-crasher," said with one's mouth full.
Lizard Sex - Sounds like a good name for a band!
whatever that is... it seems to be a private moment. Which, I supposed, could cover both murder and sex. We've got that brand of lizard in our yard too (and sometimes the house)... but I've never seen them doing this!
Great photos. Would be interesting to see what they did once you moved on.
"It's been a long time since I dated reptiles."
That might just be one of the best lines of the year.
I agree with Ben...definitely one of the best lines of the year...
Don't think I've ever seen lizards dancing like that...I think because our cats are too busy chasing them....
Isn't it obvious? They're cuddling.
I wonder if animals think of it as privacy. Probably more like fear--"here's is a huge creature, what's it going to do?"
Vanda: sweet nothings take on a new meaning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfzaAS4gWM
Vanda: What's that?
Group hug.
Hey, we all love a little nibble on the neck!
Im going with the thought that one of them enjoyed a bit of rough sex. Im guessing they both went out for breakfast together the next morning. Great photos.
A nibble on the neck, yes, Ann, but he doesn't have to bite my head off!
I heard that.
Amazing photos! I guess that's the way lizards whisper sweet nothings in their beloved's ear -- or assert who's boss....
Wow, those are great shots. I don't think I've ever seen such large lizards around here, and I certainly haven't seen two doing that dance.
Great words to accompany the photos too. I'm glad it's been a long time since you've dated reptiles! I wish I could say the same.
TMI about Lizard Sex. Notice I'm not giving out any advice on what they're doing.
V
Shocking. And I thought this was a family blog.
One and the same perhaps, Ms. M?
Susan, these are just the little ones we usually see--probably about as long as your hand (with the exception of the tail).
Virginia, we still aren't sure if they're fighting or making love. I think we don't have nearly enough information.
It's a family blog, Hiker. My family is two adults and a dog who can't read.
Boz can't read?
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