SAN DIEGO — Lizards are getting their day in the sun as scientists in San Diego are studying how reptiles evolve in urban environments.

When you’re hunting lizards smaller than your hand, Dr. Kinsey Brock said you have to get creative; she uses dental floss as a lasso to catch the small creatures.

“It’s such a dopamine hit when you catch a lizard,” Brock said with a laugh.  

Brock and senior biology student Paco Christman are catching lizards at the Mediterranean Garden at San Diego State University. They’re studying how reptiles adapt to urban environments vs. wilderness areas, how humans might affect lizard evolution, and if that changes their behavior and body functions.

The key to their research: western fence lizards.

“They are all over San Diego. In the city, on the beach, in the mountains, these guys are everywhere,” Brock said. “Nature is everywhere and we’re a part of it and our cities are this really new and interesting part of nature. Cities at the very oldest end are only 6,000 years old.”

They’re recording the body temperature of all the lizards they catch. Christman also helps collect information from data loggers that measure temperature and moisture. Since fence lizards are common throughout the entire state of California, he hopes their research can inspire everyone to notice and care about the wildlife in their area. 

“Our environment is with us at all times. It’s not just this far-off thing,” Christman said. “We have lizards, we have birds, we have all this wildlife that’s right in our backyards.”

The United Nations has estimated about 70% of the world’s population will live in cities or urban areas by 2050, making their research an important piece to understanding how to live alongside wildlife without harming them.

“Cities aren’t going away and I think it’s really important that we understand how organisms are interacting and evolving with this new environment,” Brock said.  

Brock also said they are also studying lizards around the Los Angeles area and are even partnering with homeowners to study lizards in people’s backyards.