[catllar]

You  folk maybe have greenfly etc, but I bet you don't have many of these on your brussels sprouts!

[catllar]

Found this little chap the other day - someone's made away with his tail though - wonder if it was the big green beastie?

[arugula]

That no. 1 beastie is a big beastie!  We have common Salamanders all over our garden, they live mainly in our wall, no. 2 little guy less tail looks like the same kind of critter. Our Salamanders do very much better in the tail dept. these days now the chickens have gone from here.

[catllar]

Yes, he's cute isn't he? We think he or she is a gecko  - what do you think? - they are quite common here and we have some real tiddly little ones (note technical scientific language) living in my rubber plant on the terrace. The big green beast seems to like my strelitzia plant and he is sooooo chilled out  - just as well - wouldn't want a thing that big flying(?) at you!

[arugula]

The paws/feet of yours make me think Gecko, not an expert by any means though!

Here's what ours look like.

[mumofstig]

The paws/feet of yours make me think Gecko, not an expert by any means though

He does look as if he has 'suction pads' on his toes doesn't he  I like them in the evening when they 'sit' on the wall near a light and splat the moths and mozzies.... natures pest killers

[arugula]

The paws/feet of yours make me think Gecko, not an expert by any means though

He does look as if he has 'suction pads' on his toes doesn't he  I like them in the evening when they 'sit' on the wall near a light and splat the moths and mozzies.... natures pest killers

They love those big juicy slugs! 

[8doubles]

Hi Argyllie, is salamander the local name for common lizard. I though you may have been referring to newts which are aquatic like salamanders instead of lizards which like dry conditions.

[arugula]

Hi Argyllie, is salamander the local name for common lizard. I though you may have been referring to newts which are aquatic like salamanders instead of lizards which like dry conditions.

Hi 8doubles,

As I said I'm no expert but we were told this is what our residents are. I found the following information too at http://www.theamphibian.co.uk/:

"Caudata (Salamanders, Newts and Sirens)

The order Caudata includes all the tailed amphibians, such as Newts, Salamanders and Sirens. Generally members of the Caudata are carnivorous and have long tails, elongated bodies and smooth skin. The definitions that separate newts and salamanders are in a similar situation of frogs and toads, in that they are not clearly defined, but usually a tailed amphibian that is largely aquatic and of a small size is called a Newt (from the Medieval English word ewt), whilst larger more terrestrial species are called Salamanders (from the Greek for Fire Lizard).

There are over 432 species of Newts, Salamander and Siren in the order Caudata, separated into 60 genera and 10 families."

[8doubles]

I`m no expert either and find it difficult to tell a common from a sand lizard but i used to keep the ones pictured on the log for pets when i was a lad , the common lizard  which is now protected as are all reptiles and amphibians.
Having them wild in the garden is much better than having them as pets, lucky you! 

More about lizards here, http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/common_lizard.htm

[catllar]

Anybody got any ideas about my big green beastie?

[mumofstig]

He's a predatory bush cricket and is 'one of the biggest European insects and is carnivorous, eating other crickets and locusts'

http://www.biolib.cz/en/image/id39248/


found this clip...........not for the squeamish 

http://thestickytongue.com/2010/05/08/the-predatory-bush-cricket-evil-incarnate/

[catllar]

  A foot long?? Insect?? Mine was just a baby? Nowonder it was so laid back - don't suppose much frightens a thing like that! Still, it should see off any greenfly! Maybe nextdoor's cat should be afraid, very afraid!

[8doubles]

One of those foot long beasties down the back of the neck would make you leap about a bit. Or be very still.
 I thought praying mantis were big and creepy. :blink:

[arugula]

Having them wild in the garden is much better than having them as pets, lucky you! 

They are great to watch, if they're in the mood to be out and about.

A foot long?? Insect?? Mine was just a baby? Nowonder it was so laid back - don't suppose much frightens a thing like that! Still, it should see off any greenfly! Maybe nextdoor's cat should be afraid, very afraid!

He's a scary thing indeed!