striking fear into the hearts of children

Had great weather over the weekend so I went to the local park with Licky so he could sunbathe among the dandelions. As I was laying with Licky next to me in the tall grass, I heard a Spanish speaking family approaching. I watched the son of the family, maybe 10-12 years old, curiously approach where Licky was (we were sat off the path on the hill in the grass, so not in anyone's way; I'm actually surprised he noticed Licky at all from the path).

As soon as he laid eyes on Licky, he immediately screamed in terror and ran off at the speed of light, shouting back at his family in Spanish as he ran. The only word I could understand him screaming was "COBRA!!!!!!!!"

This was the exact pose and face Licky had when the boy saw him, how could anyone be scared of this goofy lil' face

 

[AHBD]

This would be the one I mentioned. There a few morphs or different colors .

Podarcis muralis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ChileanTaco]

This would be the one I mentioned. There a few morphs or different colors .

I know, there are a few ones, but really not common in Germany.
If found, then in warmer regions like the classic wine regions (Mosel, Bodensee, Rhein-Neckar etc.) in rather small amounts, and a small but stable population in the city I mentioned which is significantly warmer than the surrounding mountain regions, but otherwise not. These are the "Mauereidechse" I mentioned. They look like these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podar...ralis_near_Nostra_Signora_delle_Grazie_05.jpg

The most typical one in Germany, however, really is the "Zauneidechse" lacerta agilis. Second common: the legless lizard, "Blindschleiche".
So I would rather say instead that "the" wild lizards are there European wall lizards, that a rare species of lizards are Europen walll lizards - the common ones are for sure the "Zauneidechse".

 

[AHBD]

I know, there are a few ones, but really not common in Germany.
If found, then in warmer regions like the classic wine regions (Mosel, Bodensee, Rhein-Neckar etc.) in rather small amounts, and a small but stable population in the city I mentioned which is significantly warmer than the surrounding mountain regions, but otherwise not. These are the "Mauereidechse" I mentioned. They look like these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podar...ralis_near_Nostra_Signora_delle_Grazie_05.jpg

The most typical one in Germany, however, really is the "Zauneidechse" lacerta agilis. Second common: the legless lizard, "Blindschleiche".

So small and pretty !

 

[xp29]

I found something interesting during the years that I vended at or just attended reptile shows. Sometimes a mom would bring her kids reluctantly [ some kids of course can beg their parents and parents give in ] but then see things like baby beardies, crested geckos, beautiful chameleons and colorful, chill snakes , etc. After getting to hold something small and safe, they might say " oh it's not slimy " or "not real rough feeling". Before you know it they have found their new interest and actually go from being afraid of them to actually liking them and becoming an owner. BTW if you've never held a crested gecko you won't believe that the cute things feel kind of like velvet. And then there are the day geckos like the " gold dust ", " peacock " and electric blue " day gecko. So tiny and so beautiful !

I never refuse to let anyone pet or hold my beardies (with instructions and supervision of course) I've seen exactly what your talking about You can literally see their attitude change from skeptical to amazement right on the spot

 

[ChileanTaco]

So small and pretty !

And they are fast! Ways different than lacerta agilis, the one I grew up with.
I can clearly say lacerta agilis was my first reptile love Watching them in the garden, not shy (they might watch you while you tend your plants), and wondering what they do all day long, where they go to sleep, seeing them basking an pancaking while doing so (yes, they do! can get really flat, and over time you'd know their basking spots).
I saw the wall lizards the first time when I started attending college at that bigger city. Some similarities but still quite different and I was puzzled. Like when you grow up with a certain dog breed, and then you discover there are some that look ways different