Program Overview

Introduction to The Lizards Project

The Lizards Project is a comprehensive educational program designed for high school students and teachers, focusing on herpetological research and education. This project is part of The HERP Project, which aims to provide hands-on experiences in herpetology, emphasizing the biology, ecology, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Program Objectives

• Document lizard species at different sites in North Carolina.
• Teach participants about the biology and ecology of lizards.
• Study the population and population structure of lizards using temporary mark/recapture methods.

Participant Safety in the Field

Participants are instructed on safety measures to prevent encounters with insects and other arthropods, such as wearing insect repellent, hats, long pants, and sturdy boots. They are also advised on how to safely interact with lizards, including handling techniques and the importance of supporting all limbs of the lizard to ensure its security.

Background for Instructors

Instructors are provided with detailed information on lizards, including their characteristics, habitats, and behaviors. This background knowledge enables instructors to effectively teach participants about lizard identification, biology, and ecology.

Identifying Lizards

Participants learn how to identify lizards using field guides, such as "Amphibians & Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia." They are taught to observe and record characteristics such as size, coloration, stripes, spots, and habitat. A "Give me Three" ID rule is used, requiring participants to identify at least three characteristics of an organism to confirm a positive identification.

Capturing Lizards

Participants are instructed on various methods for capturing lizards, including:

• Using hands: Suitable for lizards like anoles or fence lizards.
• Using a net: Recommended for faster varieties of lizards.
• Trapping: Using simple traps or PVC pipes to catch lizards.
• Using a lizard lasso: Effective for catching lizards with broader heads and thinner necks, such as anoles and fence lizards.

Data Collection

Participants collect data on each lizard, including:

• Sex
• Total length
• Snout to vent length
• Mass Additional data collection possibilities include using fluorescent tracking powder to analyze terrestrial movements of lizards at night and making observations of lizard behavior.

Mark/Recapture Study

A mark/recapture study of anoles is conducted, where anoles are marked with a non-toxic permanent marker and released. Participants then look for these marked anoles each day, along with new anoles, to study habitat use and estimate population numbers.

Teaching Points

The program highlights the importance of native species conservation and the threats posed by invasive species. Participants learn about the impact of invasive species, such as the brown anole, on native lizard populations.

NSF Funding

The project is supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. DRL-. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

References and Additional Resources

Several books and web resources are recommended for further learning, including "Reptiles of North Carolina" and the Carolina Herp Atlas.

Especially for Teachers

Teachers can download standards connections in .doc or .pdf format to integrate the program with educational standards.

Transcripts of Featured Videos

Transcripts are provided for videos on handling bearded dragons, using a lasso on real lizards, making a lizard lasso, and identifying Eastern Fence Lizards, scales, and Green Anoles.

The Lizards Curriculum

The curriculum is available for download in .pdf format, providing a comprehensive guide to teaching about lizards.