Blazing Diamond Alligator Lizards

groundhog · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 4 Location: New York

Greetings All:

Just found ReptileMom on Vivarium Forums! Never knew about this site. I have a bit of experience with these, so here's some basics. Feel free to comment:

Alligator lizards are also my favorite lizards! cheer:

But where did you find them? And what species are they? I cannot find any alligator lizards anywhere-on line, in shops, or at shows! Where do you live, is it different in your part of the country?

I have kept:

Southern (Elgaria multicarinata)-this is the only species where some individuals will not tame down. Cali natives will tell you that wild adults do not play-with cats, dogs or toddlers. I even raised one from a hatchling that stayed criminally insane; others I have had would obey simple commands--(hey not unlike dogs-or us);

Northern (E. courula): Not as pretty, but always sweet;

Arizona (Elgaria kingii): A bit smaller than the other guys, so I only handled him in the house. Adorable.

Texas (Gerrhonotus infernalis): Way cool. But awful slow and somewhat expensive-also, they are not quite as coordinated, so if let them climb, stay over a soft surface;

Central American (Mesaspis monticola or morelettii): A bit skittish; best to just hand feed. There are, of course, some exceptions:

I have never kept Abronia sp.

With any of these, I would not handle a hatchling/newborn for the first month/six weeks--better to hand feed.

Some quick pointers:

-Philippe des Vosjoli is correct when he says the major cause of captive problems is keeping any of these animals to hot and/or too dry. While they are not amphibians, they are not collared lizards either; they do not actually live in deserts. Day temps should never hit 90, evening temps should be at least 10 degrees cooler. Once established, they can be offered a winter "cool down." These rules should apply to Central American species, as well.

--UV lighting is beneficial, and probably necessary.

-All of these animals like to climb (I am told the "Panamint" is more terrestrial). Sturdy branches and bushes help. If your tank is bright enough, try plants that can thrive in a temperate tank, like ivy, XFatshedera or a small aralia. Cryptanthus are sturdy. One can try any of the ferns that do not need high light or super-high humidity, like Korean rock fern (Polystichum tsu-simense) or Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia). Partirdge berry (Mitchella repens) is nice if you can find it. Feel free to decorate with an airplant (Tillandsia sp) or two;

--Diet: I have to demur about mealworms. They can be part of a varied diet. But I mean a varied diet Some alligator lizards have this wonderful habit of deciding they just want to eat one thing--do not allow this to happen (and never let a big one eat only pinkies!) Gut-loading and some vitamin/mineral supplementation are essential;

--This may seem controversial, but I will not keep them with other animals. I have had many animals live very long lives: had a water dragon 14 1/2 yrs, my White's TF will be 10 this year, etc;, And I am not adverse to mixed setups (My White's lives with an Aussie WD and a ball python now). But I have had mixed success with these guys. My longest-term captives lived all by their bad selves. My hypothesis is: the long-term exposure to other animals (my hands washing multiple water bowls, etc; I suspect that they do not , in fact, have indestructible immune systems.

Also, they are serious predators. I do not trust them with animals they can easily kill. Remember the insane baby I just mentioned? I once threw a praying mantis in there--might have been 2/3 the lizards weight (big female mantis, young lizard). The mantis started it--the lizard finshed it. Cool

Which is another way of saying--no anoles or baby bearded dragons...

Peace,

G

groundhog · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 4 Location: New York

Oh I see--

you are recommending against feeding mealworms to baby lizards

--not to seem rude, but I thought that was obvious (I forget that I was once a beginner--used to clean water bowls 4X a day Rolling Eyes

).

-With this in mind, no aspen or cedar substrates, and if you have a natural substrate, no perlite!

For babies, I use 1/4" crickets and phoenix worms. How about you guys?