A fascinating detail about Ekoe men? They don’t typically pursue skinny women. When I first learned this, I tried to argue that it sounded a little like modern-day body shaming. But an elderly man gently stopped me: “Listen, every man has his preference, this is ours. We love our women fleshy. We discourage marrying skinny girls. Besides, our girls are not skinny.”

She wasn't just any lizard though. Elizabeth was... my lizard. My unexpected roommate. My silent therapist. My tiny wall-dwelling friend. When you live alone—especially in a chilly area like I do—you start noticing the little things: the creak of the floorboard, the way the wind whistles through the windows, and sometimes, the quiet presence of a creature that insists on sharing your space. Elizabeth started showing up in...