April 18. 2018

Location: Vero, Vero Beach Museum of Art

I'm a Curly-tailed Lizard
I escape predators in a tricky way
I curl my tail to make them think it's my head,
When they attack, my tail breaks off and I run away.

But don't worry about me, I'm not actually hurt,
Like many lizards I will
Grow back a new tail, and be perfectly fine
Because my tail is detachable.

Sources: Wild South Florida - Northern Curly-Tailed Lizard

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 26, 2017

Location: Port St. Lucie, Whispering Pines Park

I'm a Northern Curly-tailed Lizard,
Florida is not my native land.
In 1940, I was brought here to combat sugar cane pests,
From my home in the Bahamian islands.

Sources: FFWCC - Nonnatives - Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson