Lizards may protect people from Lyme disease in parts of U.S.

[Rex Sanders]

Helps explain why some regions have the same ticks, but much less Lyme. Climate makes a difference, too. Interesting, especially as climate changes.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/lizards-may-be-protecting-people-lyme-disease-southeastern-united-states

On your next backpacking trip, make friends with the local lizards! Or at least thank them.

— Rex

[MJ H]

I think possums eat ticks too. Maybe not often enough.

[Ethan A.]

I was relieved to read this doesn’t involve rubbing lizards all over yourself. Relieved for them especially, as I’m a fan of our saurian brothers and sisters.

[David Thomas]

Only if you buy Gieco insurance?

[Paul Wagner]

Skinks are your friends.  It’s official

[Dean F.]

If lizards are protective, how do you dose them?

[Dave @ Oware]

They’ve know that around Point Reyes, CA since the late 80’s. The southern part of the area has very little lyme and lots of lizards and the northern part the opposite. The lizards are a filter because their blood doesn’t make a good home for lyme spirochetes. We met researchers from a UC school, Davis I think, at the lighthouse collecting lizards and studying deer.

Must have been before the internet if these folks haven’t heard of it.

[Author]

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