First Sunshine!!

[barb1]

It has been such a pleasure today to have some warm sun. We certainly need it to boost our immune system.

I was very pleased to see some Bilineata, Lepida and Vivipara out sunning themselves. Not all but at least some have survived this cold winter we have had.

What about you folks up north, any signs of life yet?

[robv]

Down here in the South West we had some great sunshine and a temp of 12c -

Saw a couple of baby bilins, adult sicula's and pityusensis, - and a sub adult trilineata major.

We had the coldest temperatures I have ever known before Christmas (it killed a mimosa tree I have nurtured for 10 years!) and yet it is very encouraging to see these guys all looking fat and healthy.

[chrisd]

same up here in York, sunshine at last ! There was only a male Viridis out today hopefully the rest are ok. My Trillinneata was out a few weeks ago but I haven't seen it since. Can't wait for spring now ! I've just started constructing a new glass viv outside for my Vivapara. Hopefully they are ok too then I can move them into it in the next few months.

Chris

[barb1]

That's great news, despite the cold up north, creatures are imerging unscathed.
What do you reckon the coldest temps have been in UK over winter? Be interesting to hear from more Herpers!

[Iowarth]

Hi everyone
Similar story down here (Sussex coast). We saw a male L. bilineata and a female P. siculus in one viv and a male P. muralis in another. Today they were joined by another male bilin and two male siculus ..... thus far. Once again all looked superb. These animals originate in continental climates which means that so long as our vivs provide suitable frost-proof hibernaculii then these bitterly cold winters are actually better for them. Down here we usually get very mild winters which generate greater losses than this one (so far!!). This emergence is actually 2-3 weeks earlier than is usually the case here. Although we are near the coast we are in a valley which gets hit by northerly and easterly winds so spring is often a bit later. Not this year it seems! We went down to -9.8C as our lowest temperature. A bit of a shock, until last winter we seldom went below zero at all!!
Chris

[barb1]

Hi Chris,

Thought I was the only one lurking around here?
Yes, isn't it great to see them out, only one day mind you but it is the beginning of spring, especially seeing a Lepida out and about if only briefly.

We have also got frogs on the move, so many seem to have survived by the remains I have seen in the road, poor things! There are some in our pond, not sure whether they hibernated at the bottom, or if they walked in.

What plans have you for reps this year? Are the Sand Lizards doing OK?

[Iowarth]

Hi Barb
Well, there's at least 2 of us. By mid-afternoon our first adult female bilin had emerged looking great. A few frogs in the pond and in the unheated greenhouses there were 3 Laudakia s brachdactyla, a Glass Lizard and numerous Tree Frogs and Green Toads hopping around together with the male Australian Water Dragon sprawled out on a rock. Pleased to say all had put themselves safely away again by 3:30.
Hopefully Sand Lizards OK - no signs yet. No specific plans - just grow and breed things!! Preferably everything!
All the best
Chris

[chrisd]

Nothing new up here near York. The male Viridis has been out and about again with a few vivapara, young and adults. The winter was particulary cold I've never felt temps like it. We had a good few nights hitting -13 with days not raising much above that too. I'm suprised that anything survived. Without seeming too negative the weather can still change for the worse. We had deep snow 2 years ago in April. But after this winter hopefully we'll have a "BBQ" summer as promised last year !

chris

[monkeyboy]

Hi,

We (south Devon) had a very warm day on 23rd Feb (and pretty continuously since) which woke up my Argus sand lizards, interesting both male and female up on same day despite male being outside and female hibernated in box in garage. No sign of any wall lizards yet, though which is suprising begining to wonder if they have succumbed to cold.
Although nice to see the male enjoying sun and free run of enclosure i was hoping to remodel it this year but he's to active to catch, anyone got and tips! (tried and failed to noose (he seems to just smirk and wriggle right through before I can set the knot!!))

S

[barb1]

Hi Chris,

All the lizards have come through the winter in hibernation. I am well pleased. Everything out and sunning, it's a relief. Hopefully winter over now?

[chrisd]

Hi Everyone good to see people still posting messages here. I check quite regulary and have tried to post afew recently without success. I think it has been my internet connection. Have you just come out of hibernation too ?

The weather has been pretty good for the last week and everything is now woken up, active and hungry ! I've not lost anything to the cold weather which is fantastic news ! I must be doing something right !Viridis, Billineata, Trillineata and Exigua all looking good. Hopefully they want start mating soon.

In addition, I have some sub-adult Exigua inside with a male Sub-adult Bill. Unfortunately the male Bill has mated with the female Exigua resulting in eggs. I have always mixed some species and have kept these individuals together for a few years now without anything happening like this before. I'm corious to see what will happen but miffed at the same time because i have missed the chance to mate those particular Exigua's for this year. what do people think ?

[ameivaboy]

Well I'm not a fan of intentionally creating hybrids - I am interested to see what the hatchlings and eventually adults would look like.

I have had nothin but rain for a few weeks here outside of San Francisco and now a week of really want weather - under 55F an raining last week this week high 70's (F) an low 80's (F) today.

All lacertids running around - and young male exigua is really starting to color up (blue face!!)

Cheers!