🌿 Starnook Adventures: A Wild Welcome from a Spotted Visitor 🦎

Jun 1

🌿 Starnook Adventures: A Wild Welcome from a Spotted Visitor 🦎

One of our first magical moments on our new 5-acre property happened when this incredible little lizard jumped right onto Tracy’s arm! It was so calm and friendly, letting each of us take turns holding it. We were all amazed—especially when it showed a clear interest in our newly built fountain and happily explored the tall grass in our front yard.

🦎 What kind of lizard is it?

We believe this curious little visitor was a Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii). These lizards are known for their bold spotted patterns and long tails—just like a mini leopard, but way cooler because it lives right here in the wild!

🏞 Where do they live?

These lizards thrive in dry, open terrain—think desert flats, sandy washes, and grassy or shrubby areas. Our Nevada homestead, with its mix of tall grass, dirt patches, and warm sun, seems like the perfect habitat for them.

🍽 What do they eat?

Leopard lizards are carnivorous, and they’re not picky! They’ll eat:

Grasshoppers
Beetles
Spiders
Other small insects
Occasionally even smaller lizards!

They’re active hunters, using bursts of speed to catch their prey.

📏 How big do they get?

Adults can grow up to 12 inches long, including their tail. Males are often a bit larger than females. This one looked like it might’ve been a juvenile, but it was still impressively sized and healthy.

After spending some special time with us, we gently returned our new friend back to the wild where it belongs. We all felt so grateful to be welcomed by such a beautiful reptile, right in our own front yard.

This was a great reminder of how full of life our land is—and we can’t wait to share more of it with you as Starnook continues to grow. 💚