Have you ever noticed a lizard basking on a sidewalk or darting across a college campus? It turns out, these urban reptiles might be living a very different life than their wild cousins! Our Cool Lizards in the City project—a collaboration with 11 universities in Southern California—is investigating a fascinating question:
👉 Do animals living near humans benefit from irrigation systems that provide a constant water source?
Lizards & Sprinklers: A Surprising Connection
In cities, irrigation keeps parks, lawns, and gardens green, even in the middle of scorching summers. But could this steady water supply also be shaping the lives of western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis)? We think so! These little guys thrive in urban areas, and we suspect that access to extra water might be keeping them:
✅ Cooler in the heat
✅ More hydrated
✅ Active for longer periods throughout the day
How We’re Testing This
To find out, we’re placing environmental data loggers across urban college campuses and natural non-urban sites. These devices record temperature, humidity, and soil moisture, helping us compare how microclimates differ between urban and wild areas.
We’re also tracking lizard body temperature, hydration levels, and activity patterns to see if urban lizards really do have an advantage thanks to all that extra water.
More Than Just Lizards: Training Future Ecologists!
What’s even cooler? This project isn’t just about lizards—it’s also about training the next generation of ecological leaders! At each participating university, a faculty member is working with an undergraduate researcher who is directly contributing to this project.
We’re partially funded by RESCUE-Net (https://rescue-net.org/), a research collaboration network that supports student training in ecological research. Together, we’re giving students hands-on experience in fieldwork, data collection, and ecological analysis—preparing them for future careers in science and conservation.
Why Does This Matter?
Urbanization is changing landscapes worldwide, and while some animals struggle to adapt, others—like fence lizards—may actually be thriving. Understanding how urban environments impact wildlife helps us better protect biodiversity in a rapidly urbanizing world.
So next time you spot a lizard chilling on a campus walkway, remember—they might just be living the high life, thanks to human-made watering systems! 💦🦎
Stay tuned for our results—these cool city lizards have a lot to teach us! 😎
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