(Dead) Lizards in Backyard

gimli on 04/01/2022 - 08:21
Last edited 04/01/2022 - 10:23 by 1 other user

Hey guys,

I've noticed an increase in the number of small lizards in the garden(i think they are common garden skinks). Also, have found a few dead lizards lying around recently.

Don't mind the lizards. I suspect the higher number might have something to do with having more rain in Sydney this year. Just surprised by them dropping dead haven't noticed that before but could simply be due to higher number of lizards.

Just curious whether other people have noticed more lizards. Is there anything I should be watching out for which might be killing the lizards. (I don't use any pesticides out doors).

Cheers

Home & Garden

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 04/01/2022 - 08:42
    +2

    5G tower?

  • MrThing on 04/01/2022 - 08:45
    +1

    Covid?

    • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 11:38

      could be. Fits the two week lag

  • CyberMurning on 04/01/2022 - 08:51

    to disclose your approx location maybe helpful.

    • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 11:08
      +1

      -33.90761, 151.02077

      • mskeggs on 04/01/2022 - 13:03
        +3

        I appreciate you gave enough precision so we can tell where in the 7-11 car park you are located!

        • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 13:40
          +1

          hehehe :)

          also coordinates for cheap fuel

  • AndyC1 on 04/01/2022 - 08:54
    +4

    Do you use snail bait? If you do make sure you use the iron based bait otherwise you will kill the small lizards.

    • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 11:37

      Nah no snail bait. Ironically i found one dead lizard near a capsicum plant which were caterpillars were thiriving lol

      • AndyC1 on 04/01/2022 - 11:38
        +1

        Could be neighbors using snail bait.

  • mapax on 04/01/2022 - 08:57
    +5

    I’m not a herp guy but I’m a predator control guy, so my first though would be a cat killing them.

    Could be a parasitic issue relating to an imbalance of something in the local environment.

    The increase in population might be too high for the local environment causing increased competition for resources leading to more deaths.

    Percentage of deaths could be on par with an average year but increased population makes it seem like a lot are dead.

  • WreckTangle on 04/01/2022 - 09:01
    +4

    (I don't use any pesticides out doors).

    Bit worried bout your indoor pesticide use though…

    • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 11:08
      +1

      Could be. Hit the fly spray often inside

  • Euphemistic on 04/01/2022 - 09:05
    +2

    Could be what your neighbour is doing.

  • RockyRaccoon on 04/01/2022 - 09:10
    +6

    it's a CAT.

    Yours or Neighbours

    • andrek on 04/01/2022 - 11:08

      … and it's only half of lizards. the other half is in that cat's house.

    • singingwolf on 05/01/2022 - 09:05

      This

  • Godric on 04/01/2022 - 10:03
    +1

    No mask

  • loke on 04/01/2022 - 10:56
    +1

    Dead mice during the year in both back and front yard

    Security camera catches neighbours cat batting mouse around

    Cats cats cats

    (Also have had the prowling fox do in a chicken and a more curious juvenile fox playing around)

    • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 11:09

      Had a dead rat/mouse last year so maybe a cat thing

      • leelemon on 04/01/2022 - 13:49

        if it's a cat, the lizard will be pretty banged up - missing tail, bent out of place, scratch marks, blood if they are big
        otherwise you have another culprit

        • gimli on 04/01/2022 - 13:52

          good point. Doesn't look like that so maybe getting poisoned some how?

          • leelemon on 04/01/2022 - 14:41
            +1

            @gimli: Must be if it is still in one piece - another poster suggested it might be a neighbour which sounds likely if you aren't using pesticides.

            Otherwise, their food source possibly could have been poisoned (cockroaches or ants) if you use bait indoors

        • mapax on 04/01/2022 - 15:09

          Not necessarily. It’s pretty common to collect dead skinks that won’t have a visible puncture wound or only have a puncture wound that is visible when examining the underside, from the top they look ok and the tails will be intact.

  • DuckKnight on 04/01/2022 - 11:54

    I saw a stray cat pounce and chew on something on my porch a few months ago. Had a closer look after the cat scurried off and saw a lizard tail squirming for a few seconds.

  • subywagon on 04/01/2022 - 11:57
    +4

    It'll be a cat. Most people don't realise how much they kill. I see them prowling everyday.

  • Drakesy on 04/01/2022 - 12:18

    Cats

  • ModdySwag on 04/01/2022 - 13:04

    Space gypsies

  • Speckled Jim on 05/01/2022 - 08:56

    Tony Clifton

  • WT on 05/01/2022 - 09:56

    baby pigeon fell from a nest a few days ago, hanging around while our cat was at the back,
    walked right in front of our cat within 20cm! Cat looked at it for a second and then back at me
    while I was laughing how stupid our cat is.

    not all cats are murderers

    • LFO on 05/01/2022 - 12:03

      Cat looked at it for a second and then back at me while I was laughing how stupid our cat is.

      That was part of its innocent pussycat acting.
      Wait until is dark or when you are not watching.

      Cats are smart, skilled and astute hunters, killers.
      Is their instinct and that is why, we humans, put a bell around their neck so less astute animals, potential pray, will have a better chance of survival.

  • patchydog on 05/01/2022 - 10:53

    could be crows, watched a pair attacking a rat in neighbors yard, quite vicious birds

  • LFO on 05/01/2022 - 12:06

    I should be watching out for which might be killing the lizards.

    Domestic cats and dogs. And big birds like currawongs and, very rarely butcher birds and even magpies.

  • OzHunterNSW on 05/01/2022 - 15:29

    If not you… a neighbour has recently sprayed their garden with poison…. expect to see spiders, snakes, etc, as they try and escape the chemical warfare.

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