Guest post from:
Philip (11) AKA Nature Boy.
I caught a fence lizard the other day. I set up a habitat with old decaying wood, rocks, dirt and growing cheat for it in an aquarium. I like to do a few science experiments with it. I made a jungle gym out of yarn for it to play on, I will watch how it balances and moves on it. As it gets tamer, I hope to observe it enjoying it. I also, want to get one or two more lizards, so I can watch how they interact together. I have seen him moving his tail around like he is talking, another reason I want another one, so I can see them interact.
I feed my fence lizard insects from outside. This time of year I have to find them under rocks and such.
You can’t feed them rolly pollie bugs as they will make them sick and they will die.
I also built an ant farm. I have gathered three different species of ants and put them in a gallon jar. I found that ants as well as bees all have different jobs. I added a bunch of dirt to the jar and observed them dig out. The digging ants look different than the rest of the colony. As I watched them, I saw they use their jaws to saw a piece of rock or dirt and then carry it out of the tunnel. That is how they make the ant hills. I feed them on bread using jelly and whatever else I am aloud to rob from the kitchen. 
I enjoy doing nature studies. I to catch everything or keep it. I like to keep small animals for just a few days to observe them and learn more about them up close. My mom doesn’t always like it when I do it. My mom likes to take pictures of the things I find.
Grab the button and link up your Nature Studies.
mother, christian, wife, woman, child of God. It is about my life as a farmer’s wife, as a cook, a baker, a nurse, a teacher, a woodworker, a housekeeper, a farmer (yep, I drive tractors, pick up hay bales, and other farm duties), a gardener. So, what you read here, is me, as a transparent sometimes hot headed, passionate, and opinionated person.
Your fence lizard is really cool! I’ve never seen one down here in Texas. We mostly get anoles which are really cool. When they get threatened they puff up their throat like a red fan and if scared badly enough they drop their tails. So glad I haven’t experienced the tail thing as I think it would freak me out!
Good luck with the lizard!
Philip, I am totally impressed. I understand how your mom feels about the small animals, but it sounds like she is a really awesome mom to let you do all the scientific stuff you do. And I’m guessing she is pleased you are taking such a keen interest in nature. Keep it up and keep blogging.