Identifying the Lizard Man

Last Friday, I told you about the scary Lizard Man living in my backyard.

I was amazed how many people left comments saying they were disappointed I didn't risk my life to photograph IT.

Seriously, people?

Why don't you go photograph the scary half-man, half-snake, half-lizard??

What if it leaped at me, gnashing it's teeth, and swinging its tail?

If it did chase me, my friend (Nike) would be no help.

I already learned she's more concerned with making Lizard Sex Jokes than helping her almost-life-long friend.

Nike would probably ask me if Lizard Man has a long tongue instead of saving my life.

I'm sure he does.

(And yes, I do have a zoom lens, but there isn't a zoom made big enough for Lizard Man.)

I did venture outside to look for Lizard Man   after a few days  but I didn't see him.

Maybe he slithered back down to the lake behind my house?

Maybe he found a cave in the canyon to live in instead of my tree?

I even lay down under the tree, several days later, and looked straight up (risking my life!!) to see if he was hiding.

There was no giant, over-sized, Lizard Man in my tree.

I decided to start Googling around to try and identify Lizard Man.

I don't think I found him, exactly, but I think "it" might have been related to this thing I found photos of on Wikipedia ...

This is a Rough-Skinned Newt.

Are you creeped out yet?

Here's another view of a Rough-Skinned Newt.

California newts are very poisonous.

And you wanted me to photograph it?????

Now, the "thing" I saw didn't look like this exactly but it must be from the same reptile family ...

Half-lizard, half-snake looking.

(Half man too - but that just might be a reflection of the men I know?)

It was a mutant, poisonous, lizard-snake-man!

We have a lake behind our house, so it is entirely possible whatever IT is slithered/crawled/creeped up from the lake.

IT was, at least ten inches long, probably at least a foot!

(That's what she said!)

It was fat like the first newt photo I showed above.

It was ugly.

And freaky. 

I'm keeping a wary eye out for The Return of Lizard Man, but I'm hoping he's gone for good.

If any of you would like to volunteer to come catch him  and move him a million miles away from my house,  you're welcome to come visit!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Di]

I can't stand even the smallest of lizards which we get on our front sidewalk and porch. In fact anything that slithers creeps me OUT! Good luck with getting rid of your lizard dude and do not count on me to help you. :-)

[Donna in VA]

I apologize for the "bizarre" comment about the missing photo. I just assumed a telephoto lens would work from INSIDE the house. I've taken pictures like that before. No, they're not top quality, but beyond risking my life (or scaring away the subject), it was worth it to have it recorded. So sorry.

[Jan]

I laughed at "That's what SHE said." You would SO fit in our house.

[Linda P]

My cat is always bringing (little) lizards into the house. Usually in some form of dismemberment.

[Denise]

I have lived in California for 21 years and never gave a thought to newts. Now I am going to have to Google them and learn more. There is no lake behind my property so no worries here:-)

[Jen]

I love love love salamanders and newts - don't worry.. they don't attack and don't really bite.. the only lizard that can really draw blood is the alligator lizard.

I'm hoping to see a Pacific Giant Salamander one day... they can be 2 feet long and they bark! They are only in the Pacific Northwest so you're safe.

[WebSavvyMom]

-->I hear if you bang two sticks together it keeps the mountain lions away....and the newts.

(Ah-hem.)

deb