Is this just a pile of rocks? Ningbo Lizard: Is this polite? This is my "bathing platform"!

Have you noticed some small changes in the grass at Beimen Lake recently?

PART 1

If you like sunbathing, build a sun terrace.

In order to make the lawns around Beimen Lake a more complex and vibrant habitat, we will demarcate the area on the south bank of Beimen Lake as a biodiversity conservation area in 2022, and no more grass will be cut in the area, minimizing human interference and giving the natural environment enough space to repair and develop itself. After a period of self-restoration by nature, the area gradually showed surprising changes. During the night exploration activities, we noticed a significant increase in the number of Ningbo slippery lizards. These small and flexible reptiles shuttled quickly through the grass, light and agile. On sunny days, we can often see Ningbo slippery lizards come out of hiding and come to the open road to enjoy the sunbathing.

Ningbo lizard basking in the sun on the roadside

Sunbathing is not only a pleasure for Ningbo lizards, but also a necessity. By sunbathing, Ningbo lizards can regulate their body temperature, speed up metabolism and enhance body functions.

However, as the demand for sunlight increases, some Ningbo lizards have begun to choose to bask in the sun on the road. This is because the road surface becomes warmer than the surrounding grass under direct sunlight, making it an ideal "sunbathing spot" for Ningbo lizards. When the lizards press their bellies against the ground, not only can their backs directly receive the heat of the sun, but their bellies can also receive the warmth conducted by the ground.

Heat on the abdomen and back

However, sunbathing on the road is also a dangerous thing for Ningbo lizards. They can easily be accidentally stepped on or crushed by people or vehicles passing by and get hurt. So in order to find a balance between sunbathing for Ningbo lizards and "lizard body safety", we chose to use another way to replace the road surface to provide Ningbo lizards with the opportunity to sunbathe. So, we have such a sunbathing platform.

This sunbathing platform made of layers of stones can also absorb sunlight and become warm, meeting the sunlight needs of Ningbo lizards while also keeping them away from dangers on the road.

PART 2

Sunshine is precious, but life is more precious

Although exposed and open areas can indeed allow Ningbo lizards to bask in the sun better, simply providing such a basking platform is far from enough. An ideal sunbathing site must not only meet the needs of sunlight, but also take into account safety and other basic living conditions. Although overly exposed and open spaces can bring warm sunlight to Ningbo lizards, they also increase the risk of being exposed to the sight of predators. If they encounter danger while basking in the sun, they will be in danger of life due to the lack of effective hiding places.

Food, water, and hiding places are necessary conditions for any animal to survive. So when we planned the sunbathing platform for the Ningbo lizards, we also provided them with a variety of narrow gaps for hiding, so that they can get back in at any time when they sense danger.

Ningbo lizards like crevices, just like the same reason we made geckos build homes before, using natural or artificial structures in the environment to form small and hidden spaces.

In the conservation area, we also planted relatively short mosses, which are connected to the landscape ecology of Beimen Lake behind, forming a safe zone with both an exposed and open flat environment and appropriate shielding effect.

At the same time, we also provide them with a lot of holes and gaps.

In addition to the gaps between the stones, there are also hidden corners woven by branches;

As well as the abundant bedding materials on the road surface - natural materials such as fallen leaves, straw, sawdust, etc. The abundant ground bedding materials not only provide additional hiding places for Ningbo lizards, but also promote the habitat and reproduction of small insects, providing a rich food source for lizards.

PART 3

Why do we build a sunbathing platform for Ningbo Slippery Lizard?

Paying attention to a species is not only because of its existence, but also because of the complex and delicate natural life network it connects. Each species is an indispensable link in this network. They are interconnected through various ways such as predation, prey, and symbiosis, and together maintain the stability and prosperity of the ecosystem.

In the conservation area, creating a suitable living space for Ningbo slippery lizards is not only to hope that they can live better and increase in number here, but more importantly to enable them to fully realize their ecological value.

A Ningbo lizard hanging on a small branch after being preyed on by a brown-backed shrike

As a link in the food chain, the Ningbo lizard feeds on small insects and is also prey for birds. Lizards are an important link in making the local ecology more complete. The ecosystem and biodiversity are made up of many such links.

The design of the conservation area is based on this concept - starting from the bottom of the ecological pyramid, starting with plants, and gradually establishing a good environment conducive to the survival of various organisms. For example, planting tall grass provides shelter for wild musk deer in the park, allowing them to forage and rest here; planting grass plants provides food for passerine birds, supporting the reproduction and development of bird populations; adding fallen trees increases the living space of fungi and mosses, providing survival resources for multiple species and regulating the soil.

The most valuable thing about biodiversity is that these species that grow, develop, change and succeed each other form a dynamic and balanced ecosystem. In this system, each member depends on the existence and development of other members, forming an intricate network of life. Each of us is also in such a network.

Join hands to open a new chapter of eco-friendliness

With the support of the "Qingshan Charity Urban Forest" project, Hongshan Forest Zoo adheres to the principles of zero waste, sustainability, low interference, and regeneration. In the five areas of the biodiversity conservation area on the east bank of Beimen Lake, the south bank of Beimen Lake, the slope of the animal park, the monkey mountain stone statue, and the mongoose lawn, more than 100 native plants are planted, hoping to promote a community that follows the objective laws of nature and continues to develop and evolve, and then gradually form a self-sustaining ecosystem and establish a healthy and effective material circulation chain. Hongshan Forest Zoo is also the first landing project of Qingshan Charity Urban Forest. In the future, on the basis of conservation work, zero-waste guide signs and other facilities will be set up in these areas, so that more citizens and tourists can get a close look at the city's biodiversity conservation work.

Through infrared cameras, we have currently spotted Black-faced Laughingthrushes in the reserve, Red-footed Frogs that came to explore, and wild musk deer that appeared at night to forage for food.

Next, we will slowly record the small animals that appear in the conservation area and share with you the stories of these small animals in the conservation area~

The Qingshan Public Welfare Urban Forest of Hongshan Forest Zoo is still under construction, so stay tuned~