Lizards are frequently encountered reptiles in residential areas, often seen darting across patios or basking on garden fences. These small, wild residents, which commonly include species like anoles, skinks, and fence lizards, are natural components of the backyard ecosystem. Understanding their specific dietary and hydration needs is the first step toward appreciating their role. Since these creatures are generally small and insectivorous, their survival depends on the availability of appropriate food and water sources within their habitat.
The Primary Natural Diet
The bulk of a common backyard lizard’s diet is composed of invertebrates, making most species insectivores. These reptiles actively hunt and consume a wide range of small arthropods found in the grass, on plants, and beneath leaf litter. Their meals consist of common pests and other garden dwellers, including spiders, crickets, small beetles, and grasshoppers.
Many of these lizards employ a “sit-and-wait” hunting strategy, particularly species like the Eastern fence lizard, which will bask in a sunny spot and ambush unsuspecting prey. Other species, such as the skinks and anoles, are more active foragers, patrolling their territory for moving targets. They also consume flies, moths, and small worms. This consistent predation on invertebrates means these lizards provide a natural, beneficial form of pest control around the home.
Hydration and Secondary Food Sources
Lizards rarely drink from standing water sources like a bird bath or a pet’s water bowl. Instead, they obtain most of their hydration by lapping up droplets of water that condense on surfaces. They rely heavily on dew that forms on leaves and grass, or raindrops collected on vegetation after a shower.
A significant portion of their daily water intake also comes directly from the moisture contained within the insects they consume. While their diet is primarily insect-based, some species will occasionally supplement their meals with other items. For instance, Green Anoles may opportunistically consume nectar from flowers or tiny pieces of very soft fruit. However, these plant-based materials are a minor addition to their diet, primarily serving as a quick source of sugar.
Safe Interaction: What Not to Feed Backyard Lizards
Homeowners should generally avoid attempting to feed wild backyard lizards, as their natural environment provides sufficient and appropriate nutrition. Introducing human food is strongly discouraged because processed items and scraps lack the balanced nutrients wild reptiles require. Feeding them non-natural items can lead to digestive issues and create an unhealthy dependence on humans.
It is also important to avoid offering wild-caught insects. Insects from the yard may carry residues from pesticides or herbicides, which can be toxic to the lizards. Certain insects, such as fireflies and ladybugs, are naturally poisonous to many reptiles and can be fatal if ingested. The best way to support these beneficial reptiles is to ensure the yard has plenty of natural cover and a healthy population of native insects.