I found another ally in the garden today. A big female Broadhead Skink is lurking amongst my figs. This is very good, as they eat a lot of insects. Sorry, I did not get a photo. She is really quick. I had seen a baby last year. My guess is we have a bunch of them in the mix.

Added bonus of seeing her, she was not her mate. I encountered one of the males in the garage at another property a few years ago. It was a little unnerving, as he was about a foot long and had a bright red head. At that point, we had just moved to NC; and I had no idea we had lizards. It was a surprise!

John, they are very good to have around. We have bunches of them. The red headed and blue streaked.

Yep, we have both varieties here in Maryland as well. They suntan out on our deck among the fig trees.

I see the blue streaked from time to time (or one really similar). have not run across the red headed or broadheaded yet.

Coolest thing was working in the flower bed and coming up with a handful of baby blues. A nest? They were released unharmed.

i see mostly blue tailed skink around here. occationally red head ones, but not as much. that electric blue tailed ones are cute.

I really think someone should send me a pair. Our lizards are all small and I sure would like something with a bigger appetite!

The only lizards I encountered were the ones at the truck stops.
Had to chase them away. Don't want non of that.

2:30 in the morning  (while in la la land ) I awake to knocks on the side of my bunk.
Haaayy suga? Want a good time? $20 for a good time.


Oh,,,
We are talking about those lizards right?
Cecil, back me up.

Natural cockroach eaters.  That's why I like them.

Rafed, That's not a skink, that's a skank.

Rafed, the only talking lizards I've seen were in the movie Fear And Loathing In Los Vegas.

Jubota1 - you crack me up.

I love the critters my fig jungle brings in. I have the blue tails but haven't seen any red headed yet, but do have salamanders, toads, frogs and this year I have a baby black rat snake. I've also had the Phoebes raise 2 clutches of chicks right above my figs. 

Yes, those would be lot lizards a.k.a. Skankus truckstoppicus, Rafed. Bad news.

As far as skinks go, I believe the juvenile Broadheads have blue tails, then grow to either be striped if female or have a red head if male. 

I love these photos.  No skinks or skanks here, but yesterday the little dachsy encountered skunk. When my boy was four he referred to them as "stunks". Yesterday we were reminded why this was such an apt name. But they can be good: skunks eat lots of bugs. All things considered though, I think I would rather have a skink than a skunk attending my figs.

Musillid,
I found the magic formula for skunk spray on the internet.
It is;
hydrogen peroxide 3% -- 1 quart,
1/4 cup baking soda
and a few drops of Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent.
Rub into the dog for 5 to 10 minutes and then clean the poor guy off. This stuff works like a miracle. 
But be careful with his eyes. You can get an ointment from the drug store. I had nothing so I poured olive oil in his eyes and it worked fine.
Now I keep an eye ointment just in case.
I have a lot of problems with skunks where I currently live and this mix is amazing. One hour later and my little buddy was asleep in my bed smelling great.
Before it took up to 2 weeks. 
Now I keep 3 doses of this stuff at all times just in case the next spray involves a neighbors dog or two.

Michael,

     My wife was home when it happened. She had him all cleaned up by the time I got home and described that exact same formula. I was stunned that it was so effective. Tonight I can still smell the skunk outside, but little Max is coming up roses. You are right, that formula is amazing.

Dale,
I'm glad to hear it. I and my dogs have been skunked on both coasts (eastern skunks are far far worse),and I've tried a lot of things and formulas. This one is the answer. I'm glad Max got through it. My guy -- mosby -- is a champ and I'm damn glad he didn't have to suffer the humiliation of 2 weeks in the garage.

Darn cat! I went out this AM and there were figs knocked off the shelves and smaller ones lying on their sides. I didn't have to look for too long before I found this poor beat up guy. But as bad as he looked and missing his tail, when the camera spooked him he was off like a rocket.

Neat. Glad the cat didn't terminate him. Besides cockroaches, their diet includes slugs and snails, I think.

It's amazing what these guys can live through.

Skink, soaking up some sunshine and guarding the fig tree :)

They're like our unofficial fig mascots. Go Fighting Skinks!

 Skinks are good around any yard.
The electric blue young ones and females.
The larger, red-headed males are around, but more secretive.
   I watched a big male eat a slug, a few months ago.
                                  Fredfig